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

Abstract

AbstractBridges 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 0.1 m/m2. The addition of fibers did not have an effect on crack density.