Alternative ABC Connections Utilizing UHPC

Two major questions are asked by bridge owners when specifying use of accelerated bridge construction (ABC) in bridge projects - durability and cost. Past experiences in bridge design, construction and maintenance indicates that one of the key elements in enhancing the service life of bridges is to eliminate “Joints” where possible. ABC projects on other hand, incorporate many “Joints”. As a result there is an urgent need for addressing the durability and service life of ABC projects through developing connections details that will have even have higher durability and service life. Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) provides an excellent opportunity to develop generic connection details for superstructure and substructure bridge elements with superior durability and service life performances. Within this project several ABC connection details that provides challenges during construction will be identified and combination of experimental and numerical studies will be carried out to develop alternative ABC connection details that are user friendly and have superior durability characteristics. Researchers at Florida International University (FIU) has carried out preliminary work and have demonstrated that it is very much feasible to develop alternate ABC connections using UHPC with superior characteristics. It is expected that this project will result in development of information that will significantly help to promote use of ABC in many bridge projects. Close collaboration with stakeholders will be maintained to assist in quick implementation of the research results.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Sponsor Organizations:

  Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC)

  Florida International University
  10555 W. Flagler Street
  Miami, FL  United States  33174

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Principal Investigators:

  Azizinamini, Atorod

• Start Date: 20160601
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20180601

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge construction; Durability; Jointless bridges; Service life; Ultra high performance concrete
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01601731
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC)
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jun 8 2016 5:11PM