Whiteman Creek Bridge: A synthesis of accelerated bridge construction, ultrahigh- performance concrete, and fiber-reinforced polymer

Abstract

The replacement of the Whiteman Creek Bridge, located in Ontario Canada, is described in this paper. Synthesizing accelerated bridge construction, ultra-high-performance concrete, and fiber-reinforced polymer reinforcement, a three-span, concrete T-beam bridge was replaced with a single-span bridge during a seven-week highway closure. Age, condition, and shear cracks in the T-beams made the replacement necessary, and prefabricated components such as precast concrete abutments, wing walls, deck elements, and steel girders were used. To enhance durability, glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars were used in the top reinforcing mat of the precast concrete deck elements and in the cast-in-place concrete barrier walls; conventional black reinforcement steel was used for the bottom reinforcing mat. Ultra-high performance concrete reduced the dimensions of joints between precast concrete elements and eliminated formwork on the deck. Deck slab erection, grouting, and construction of the bridge are described, and the project timing and costs are discussed.