Application of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) in Pennsylvania bridges

PI: Clay Naito

Co-PI(s): N/A

University: Lehigh University

Industry partner: Northeast Prestressed Products

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is a new-generation self-consolidating fiber-reinforced Portland cement concrete with outstanding mechanical properties and durability. UHPC has the ability to transform the concrete bridge industry allowing for longer span and lighter bridge elements. To date, no UHPC bridges have been constructed in Pennsylvania. To facilitate the use of UHPC by PA bridge producers and adoption by PennDOT, a research project is proposed to develop UHPC precast concrete bridge beams. A short-span bridge beam will be initially developed and experimentally evaluated. The beam will be designed for use with standard PA box beam forms but be detailed to be more shallow than current specifications allow, thus providing more space for increased hydraulic openings or truck heights. The section will have a low weight allowing for installation with smaller cranes and equipment commonly available in county bridge jurisdictions. The bridge design will conform to the standard bridge design approaches of AASHTO and PennDOT. The horizontal shear design between the precast UHPC beam and cast-in-place concrete deck will follow current approaches under development by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI), and the effectiveness of the two approaches will be examined. The final beam section will be estimated using numerical methods and will be experimentally validated through physical testing. The research will build on a CIAMTIS project currently underway. The Lehigh team will work with PA companies Northeast Prestressed Products (one of the largest precast concrete bridge producers in the state) and CorTuf (a PA UHPC blend supplier) to ensure that the design concepts are practical and economically implementable. The results will allow the team to establish a lab-scale proof of concept which can then be used as the basis for developing long-span UHPC bridges.