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Iowa DOT

A state-verified deployment of E5® Internal Cure delivered a 60% drop in shrinkage-related cracking, an 8% cementitious reduction, and eliminated topical curing compounds—without sacrificing strength.

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Project Snapshot

  • Owner: Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT)

  • Project: NE Mix Master — I-80 to I-35 (bridge concrete)

  • Placement Volume: 1,640 yd³ placed with E5® Internal Cure.

  • Outcome Highlights:

    • 60% reduction in shrinkage-related cracking (vs. prior projects).

    • 8% reduction in cementitious materials with no strength loss.

    • Eliminated traditional curing compounds, simplifying finishing.

    • Field crews reported lower pump pressures and improved workability.

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About Iowa DOT

Iowa DOT is the state agency responsible for planning, building, and maintaining Iowa’s transportation system—roads, bridges, and related infrastructure—ensuring safety, durability, and value for the public.

The Challenge

Bridge decks in the upper Midwest face high shrinkage stresses, chloride exposure, and temperature swings. The team needed a way to curb early-age cracking and reduce permeability while maintaining schedule efficiency—ideally without adding steps or risking finish quality.

The E5 Solution

E5® Internal Cure was introduced into the standard IDOT mix to internally manage moisture, support more complete hydration, and densify the matrix. The result was fewer shrinkage-related cracks, leaner cementitious content, simpler curing (no curing compound), and improved pumpability observed in the field.

Products Used

Built-In Performance: The E5® System Behind the Results. This project’s outcomes weren’t accidental—they were engineered into the slab. By pairing the right admixtures and surface systems, we delivered internal curing, faster access, and a harder, more resilient finish that stands up to real-world demands.

 
 

E5® Internal Cure

Internal-curing admixture that improves hydration efficiency, reduces shrinkage stresses, and supports durable, lower-permeability concrete without wet curing or topical curing compounds



E5® Internal Cure

60% ↓

Reduction in shrinkage-related cracking, compared with prior in-state projects; verified post-construction.

8% ↓

Cementitious materials lean mix design achieved without compromising strength or durability.

1,640 yd³

Concrete placed and volume treated with E5® Internal Cure on this project.

Schedule/Field Process

The team integrated E5® Internal Cure at the ready-mix plant, enabling standard placement procedures in a tight working window. Eliminating topical curing compounds simplified sequencing, while crews noted lower pump pressures during placement—reducing strain and helping maintain consistent delivery to forms.

Performance Needs

Bridge elements demanded a mix that would resist early-age shrinkage, reduce permeability under cyclic loading and chloride exposure, and maintain finish quality. By internally managing moisture and supporting continued hydration, the E5® approach limited microcracking, lowered transport pathways, and preserved surface integrity for long-term service.

Project Overview

Iowa DOT implemented E5® Internal Cure on the NE Mix Master interchange to address shrinkage-driven cracking and improve lifecycle performance. The admixture was dosed into the standard IDOT mix, delivering measurable reductions in cracking and cementitious demand, while removing a full curing step—benefits that align with durability, safety, and cost-of-ownership priorities. 

How E5 Elevated Performance

By hydrating more cement internally and reducing capillary porosity, E5® drove down shrinkage stresses and permeability while preserving finishability. Field crews reported better workability and lower pump pressures, and DOT stakeholders gained a data-backed improvement in deck reliability—without complicating operations.

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