Abstract
Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is a durable material that allows the construction of innovative structural elements and conforms with accelerated bridge construction (ABC) goals. The main idea of this research is to utilize UHPC to prefabricate a shell that acts as a stay-in-place form for bridge columns. The prefabricated shell eliminates the conventional formwork while reducing the on-site construction time and acting as a durable protective layer for the normal concrete inside the shell against environmental attacks. In addition, the UHPC shell provides additional confinement to the column concrete, which improves the column’s structural performance. During construction and after completing the column reinforcement work onsite, based on the conventional construction methods, the prefabricated UHPC shell is placed around the column reinforcement, followed by casting a portion of UHPC for a column-to-footing connection, which improves the capacity of the connection and shifts the plastic hinge zone above the connection. Once the UHPC portion hardens, normal concrete is placed inside the shell, forming a permanent concrete-filled UHPC shell. The construction process is finalized by placing and connecting a prefabricated cap beam to the column through the same developed connection as that in this research. This technical note presents the development of two test specimens using an UHPC shell in lieu of a conventional formwork with the advantage of improving the column performance and durability.
Highlights
IntroductionDespite being the most common method, placing these components together takes time, can cause traffic congestion, and increases the construction cost
A quasi-static load test is designed to be conducted for two columns to determine the bonding performance of the Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) shell and conventional column concrete
The first specimen does not contain reinforcement between the UHPC shell and the column concrete, while the second specimen has longitudinal reinforcement shared between the UHPC shell and concrete column to provide additional bonding between the two materials
Summary
Despite being the most common method, placing these components together takes time, can cause traffic congestion, and increases the construction cost Another concern that can be faced in the field is the failure of formworks. To prevent possible hazards of formwork and scaffolding failure, a new concept is developed by the third author using ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) to construct a prefabricated shell that acts as a permanent stay-in-place form for bridge elements. The prefabricated shell is intended to eliminate the conventional formwork and scaffolding while reducing the on-site construction time and acting as a durable protective layer against the environmental attacks for normal concrete. Advantages of prefabricated elements include a better quality of components, safety during construction, and reduced construction time Connections between these elements and adjacent bridge elements represent weak links, which are typically connected with interlaced reinforcing bars, and connectors or studs. Since these connection regions are critical parts of the structure, UHPC can be used to make the connections feasible, while obtaining less expensive connectors and possessing better performance than the typically used field-cast grout materials [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
