Field Performance of High-Early-Strength Concrete with Polypropylene Fibers as a Cost-Effective Alternative for Longitudinal Connection between Bridge Deck Bulb-T Girders

Abstract

High-early-strength (HES) concrete with polypropylene fibers has been used in several parts of bridges with precast concrete girders by the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). This material is only slightly more expensive than conventional concrete, but speeds up the construction. ITD is interested in the suitability of HES concrete in the longitudinal closure pour connections between bridge deck bulb-T girders. In the laboratory phase of this project, an optimum HES concrete mix was identified through a series of laboratory experiments. The field performance of the HES concrete mix was examined by placing the material in the closure pour joints between deck bulb-T girders in a bridge in Idaho. The main focus of this paper is to report on the 20-month field performance of the bridge closure pour concrete. Tasks included six visits to the bridge site every 4 months to (1) measure strain data under ITD’s Under the Bridge Inspection Truck (UBIT), (2) measure strain data under commercial truck traffic, and (3) inspect the closure pour concrete. Based on the results, it was concluded that there were no changes in the closure pour concrete in the last 20 months.