# Research on the performance of different waterproof bonding layer materials for steel bridge decks

## TL;DR

This study compares the performance of three waterproof bonding materials for steel bridges, finding that MMA resin and epoxy perform better than solvent-based rubber asphalt.

## Contribution

The study introduces a comparative analysis of bonding materials using surface energy theory and mechanical tests for steel bridge deck applications.

## Key findings

- MMA resin has the highest surface energy parameters, followed by epoxy resin.
- Epoxy resin achieves peak bond strength of 10.22 MPa after 60 hours of curing.
- Epoxy and MMA resins outperform solvent-based rubber asphalt at high temperatures.

## Abstract

This study investigates the performance of three commonly used waterproof bonding layer materials for steel bridge decks—solvent-based rubber asphalt, methyl methacrylate (MMA) resin, and epoxy resin—through surface energy theory, pull-off tests, and interlayer shear tests. The results indicate that MMA resin exhibits the highest surface energy parameters, followed by epoxy resin, while solvent-based rubber asphalt shows the lowest values. Pull-off tests reveal that epoxy resin achieves peak bond strength (10.22 MPa) after 60 h of curing at 25 °C, whereas solvent-based rubber asphalt performs best at an application rate of 0.4 kg/m2. Interlayer shear tests demonstrate that epoxy resin provides the highest shear strength, which increases with loading rate but decreases significantly at elevated temperatures. Additionally, temperature significantly affects bonding performance, with epoxy and MMA resins outperforming solvent-based rubber asphalt under high-temperature conditions. This research provides a theoretical basis for material selection and construction parameter optimization of waterproof bonding layers for steel bridge decks.