A Concrete Solution
Brian Keierleber, engineer for Buchanan County
BY ANN THELEN
Preserving Iowa’s infrastructure with soy-based PoreShield
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owa's weather takes a toll on the state’s bridges and highways. Water, deicers, salt and chemicals are the enemies of concrete structures, leading to cracks, potholes and overall degradation. Once the network of concrete pores is compromised, the strength of the pavement deteriorates. There are 24,043 bridges in Iowa, and only six states – including California and Texas – have more. At first glance, that may seem like a statistic that earns the Hawkeye State bragging rights. However, another fact tells another story. Iowa ranks No. 1 in structurally deficient bridges, and the condition of the bridge decking factors into the results. But thanks to soybean farmers, checkoff research and innovation, PoreShield – a soy-based concrete durability enhancer – has hit the
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pavement as a promising solution for preserving the safety and integrity of concrete. First developed in Indiana, Iowabased Natural Soy Products also recently began manufacturing and selling PoreShield. Every gallon of the product uses one bushel of soybeans, making this new product development a benefit for Iowa’s soybean farmers.
A resilient barrier PoreShield works by providing a durable barrier for resisting the impacts of water seeping into concrete and the stress of the freeze and thaw cycles, explains Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition. “If there is trauma to the concrete, PoreShield can be applied over the cracks, and it will fill in the gaps and
provide a barrier,” says Steenhoek. “Ideally, PoreShield will be applied on new concrete for maximum long-term impact; however, there are enormous benefits at any application time.” More than a decade ago, Purdue University partnered with the Indiana Soybean Alliance and began researching Soy Methyl Ester as an environmentally friendly, longlasting solution to preserving concrete surfaces, old or new. Much like Iowa, transportation officials in Indiana grappled with the costly implications of repairing and replacing concrete. PoreShield enhances the durability of concrete and provides more than 10 years of protection. A cleaner alternative to petroleum-based applications, it’s also safer because personal protective equipment is not needed when spraying the product.
