UHPC Shear Keys in Concrete Bridge Superstructures

Shear keys are used between bridge superstructure elements to provide load transfer from one girder to an adjacent girder. Transferring load to adjacent girders increases the load carrying capacity of the bridge by increasing shear and moment distribution factors. In service, shear keys often deteriorate in a manner that starts with loss of bond between the grout and the superstructure elements. Once bond is lost, water can seep into the previously bonded area and cause degradation through freezing and thawing, leaching, or other mechanisms. Repair of deteriorated shear keys requires chipping open portions of the shear key and removal of the original grouting material. New grout should be introduced in a manner that successfully re-seals the joint by establishing a strong bond with the girders. While new construction and rehabilitation projects generally utilize non-shrink grout mixtures, this research project will investigate the use of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) produced with local materials to fill shear keys between girders. UHPC has been shown to have exceptional durability and strength properties that have the potential to greatly extend the service lives of shear keys in bridge superstructures. This project will develop technology and/or procedures that will allow ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) produced with local materials to be used in shear keys between precast concrete girders in bridge superstructures.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $198,000
• Contract Numbers:

  18CNMS01

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Department of Transportation

  Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Department of Transportation

  Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Transportation Consortium of South-Central States

  Louisiana State University
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70803
• Project Managers:

  Newtson, Craig

• Performing Organizations:

  New Mexico State University

  Las Cruces, NM  United States  88003
• Principal Investigators:

  Newtson, Craig

  Weldon, Brad

• Start Date: 20180315
• Expected Completion Date: 20190915
• Actual Completion Date: 20190915
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge superstructures; Concrete bridges; Construction engineering; Design; Girders; Maintenance; Materials; Service life; Ultra high performance concrete
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01664120
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Consortium of South-Central States
• Contract Numbers: 18CNMS01
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Mar 18 2018 5:08PM