Measurements with a New Peel Adhesion Test on Waterproof Membranes Used on Concrete Bridge Decks

Abstract Interface adhesion is one of the critical performance criteria to evaluate the engineering properties of the waterproof membrane (WM) used on concrete bridge decks. The standardized methods such as the ones specified by ASTM have provided guidance to conduct interface adhesion tests. However, these methods are not specially designed for a WM used on concrete bridge decks, and ASTM D3359 is a qualitative test for evaluation of peel strength. Meanwhile, the interface adhesion is affected by a myriad of sophisticated field conditions. Accordingly, this research investigates the interface adhesion strength of the WM using a new 90° peel test. Laboratory and field tests were conducted in which the influences of peeling speed, use of subcoat, and construction temperature were taken into account. The four-point bending fatigue test on a WM was designed to account for the influences of repeated vehicle loadings on adhesion strength. Test results indicate that peel strength increases with increasing peeling speed, while it increases initially and then decreases with increasing the construction temperature of the WM and the content of subcoat. It is also found that peel strength has a linear log-log relationship with fatigue loading cycles.