Title:
Development and Application of Non-Proprietary UHPC Mixtures for Pretensioned Bridge Girders
Author(s):
Hueste
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
ws_S23_Hueste.pdf
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
4/2/2023
Abstract:
The advanced properties of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) make it attractive for application to precast pretensioned bridge girders. However, there are several challenges that have slowed the application of UHPC in the precast industry, such as the high cost of available UHPC mixtures in the market, slower production due to longer curing times, additional precast facility requirements for heat or steam curing and material storage, along with limited structural design guidance. The aim of this research is to address these concerns and to support the application of UHPC in the precast industry, with a specific focus on precast, pretensioned bridge girders in Texas. An analytical feasibility study identified potential increases in span length that can be achieved using UHPC bridge girders when compared to conventional precast, prestressed concrete bridge girders. Non-proprietary UHPC mixtures without heat treatment were designed to meet the target strengths of 13-14 ksi at release and 20-22 ksi at service. Several UHPC mixtures were developed using both Type I/II and Type III Portland cements. The developed UHPC mixtures were tested to determine a range of fresh and hardened properties, and to assess durability. A non-proprietary UHPC mixture was adapted to use the standard materials available at a local precast plant, and the mixing procedure was further refined to support implementation in the precast plant environment. Full-scale precast, pretensioned UHPC bridge girders were fabricated at the precast plant and tested in the laboratory to evaluate flexure and shear performance. This presentation describes the overall research program and provides specific findings with respect to the development and application of non-proprietary UHPC mixtures to precast, pretensioned bridge girders.