Title:
Fiber-Reinforced Concrete in Closure Pours over Piers
Author(s):
H. Celik Ozyildirim, Evelina Khakimova, Harikrishnan Nair, and Gail M. Moruza
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
114
Issue:
3
Appears on pages(s):
397-406
Keywords:
closure pour; crack width; fiber-reinforced concrete; polypropylene fibers; polyvinyl alcohol fibers; steel fibers
DOI:
10.14359/51689561
Date:
5/1/2017
Abstract:
Cracks in concrete, high permeability, or leaking bridge joints facilitate the penetration of chloride solutions, resulting in extensive corrosion damage. Joints can be eliminated by constructing continuous decks or closure pours, and infiltration through concrete can be minimized by using low-permeability concrete and fiberreinforced concrete (FRC) that controls cracks. This study investigated low-permeability FRCs with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polypropylene (PP), or steel (S) fibers to control cracking in closure pours. Large volumes of suitable fibers used in FRC enable high residual strengths and deflection hardening behavior. Generally, in these concretes, multiple tight cracks (less than 0.004 in. [0.1 mm] wide) occur, which resist the ingress of harmful solutions. In two bridges on I-64 near Covington, VA, closure pours with FRCs were placed. The initial results indicate, in general, no or tight cracking in FRCs with PVA, PP, or S fibers. Deflection hardening did not occur in all mixtures; however, the tight cracks observed were attributed to the addition of fibers and the presence of primary reinforcement.