Effectivess of High Early Strength Concrete Class 50A with Polypropylene Fibers as a Cost-Effective Alternative for Field-Cast Connections of Precast Elements in Accelerated Bridge Construction

Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) methods are relatively new in the U.S. and Idaho. ABC requires that bridge precast concrete components be effectively connected to one another in the field. Currently Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) is used to connect precast bridge deck panels or girders in 6-in. wide closure pours between the precast elements. As an alternative, Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is proposing to place High-Early Strength (HES) concrete with polypropylene fibers (compressive strength of minimum 5 ksi in 28 days) in 10-in. closure pours between girders. There are several advantages to this alternate material. An experimental and numerical research project was carried out at Idaho State University to determine the effectiveness of the alternate material and the connection detail. The experimental work consisted of small specimen testing and larger specimens with headed bars. Among the six closure pour concrete mixes considered, one was selected that had the largest compressive and tensile strength values and the lowest shrinkage value. Using the results of the larger specimens, a finite element model of the new connection was developed. The behavior of the ITD’s 10-in. closure pour connection with the optimum mix longitudinally placed between precast girders of a bridge was studied. For this analysis, the AASHTO’s requirements for Strength I, Service I, and Fatigue I Limit States were considered.

• Record URL:
  https://apps.itd.idaho.gov/apps/research/Completed/RP265.pdf
• 

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $63780
• Contract Numbers:

  RP 265

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Idaho Transportation Department

  P.O. Box 7129, 3311 West State Street
  Boise, ID  United States  83707-1129
• Project Managers:

  Gorley, Dan

• Performing Organizations:

  Idaho State University, Pocatello

  921 South 8th Avenue
  Pocatello, ID  United States  83209
• Principal Investigators:

  Mashal, Mustafa

  Ebrahimpour, Arya

• Start Date: 20161216
• Expected Completion Date: 20180731
• Actual Completion Date: 20180731

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Box girders; Bridge construction; Cost effectiveness; Fiber reinforced concrete; High early strength cement; Polypropylene; Precast concrete
• Identifier Terms: Idaho Department of Transportation
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01604833
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Idaho Transportation Department
• Contract Numbers: RP 265
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 20 2016 12:43PM