Technical Notes
Dec 23, 2011

High-Performance Concrete Designed to Enhance Durability of Bridge Decks: Oklahoma Experience

Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 24, Issue 7

Abstract

Bridges are a vital link to the nation’s mobility and prosperity, and those bridges with inadequacies will need to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. High-performance concrete (HPC) could be the most economical solution. What typically distinguishes HPC from conventional concrete (CC) is the wide variety of cements, supplementary cementitious materials, aggregates, chemical admixtures, and fibers in use. The purpose of this research project was to demonstrate the use of HPC in bridge decks in Oklahoma. HPC mixtures were designed with an optimum blend of three aggregates. With less voids between aggregate particles, the HPC mixtures contained less cement paste, approximately 24% by volume. Examined more than one year after construction, crack densities were less on HPC bridge decks than CC bridge decks. HPC mixtures with fly ash exhibited the best potential durability with crack densities less than 0.1m/m2. The addition of fibers did not have an effect on crack density.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the support of the Federal Highway Administration through the Innovative Bridge Research and Construction Program. The authors greatly appreciate the help and guidance they received from friends at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, University of Oklahoma, and Dolese Brothers Company, as well as the companies who contributed supplies.

References

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 24Issue 7July 2012
Pages: 933 - 936

History

Received: Aug 19, 2010
Accepted: Dec 19, 2011
Published online: Dec 23, 2011
Published in print: Jul 1, 2012

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Authors

Affiliations

Seamus Freyne, Ph.D., M.ASCE [email protected]
P.E.
Assistant Professor, Mississippi State Univ., Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 501 Hardy Road, 235 Walker Hall, MSU, MS 39762 (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]
Chris Ramseyer, Ph.D., M.ASCE
P.E.
Assistant Professor, Univ. of Oklahoma, School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, 202 W. Boyd Street, Room 334, Norman, OK 73019.
Jason Giebler, A.M.ASCE
Civil Engineer, Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation, 200 N.E. 21st Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.

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