Examining the Required Cement Content

Cement is an essential ingredient in concrete. The hydration products formed when cement reacts with water provide concrete with its strength. If a concrete mixture contains too little cement, the specified compressive strength may not be achieved. On the other hand, mixtures containing too much cement can also experience problems. In a recent Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) study, researchers examined bridge deck performance in several states, and they found that bridge deck cracking increases as compressive strength increases. Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) specifies a minimum compressive strength of 4000 psi at 28 days for bridge decks and a minimum cement content of 6.5 bags (611 lbs.) of cement per cubic yard. In TRC 0603, researchers measured concrete strengths of five bridge decks. The results showed that most Arkansas bridge decks are achieving their design strength (4000 psi) by 7 days of age. Therefore, strength is not the reason for requiring 611 lbs. of cement.

Language

English

Project

Status: Programmed
Funding: $247109
Contract Numbers:
TRC1602
Sponsor Organizations:
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department

Planning and Research Division, P.O. Box 2261
Little Rock, AR United States 72203
Project Managers:
McKenney, Christopher
Performing Organizations:
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Board of Trustees
Fayetteville, AR United States
Principal Investigators:
Hale, W
Start Date: 20160101
Expected Completion Date: 20171231
Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Admixtures; Bridge decks; Cement; Cement content; Compressive strength; Cracking; Hydration; Service life
Geographic Terms: Arkansas
Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 01580355
Record Type: Research project
Source Agency: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
Contract Numbers: TRC1602
Files: RiP, STATEDOT
Created Date: Nov 5 2015 12:13PM