U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology
Coordinating, Developing, and Delivering Highway Transportation Innovations
| Project Information | ||
| Project ID: | FHWA-PROJ-11-0189 | |
| Project Name: | Compression Response of a Rapid-Strengthening Ultra-High Performance Concrete Formulation | |
| Project Status: | Completed | |
| Start Date: | August 1, 2011 | |
| End Date: | September 30, 2012 | |
| Contact Information | ||
| Last Name: | Graybeal | |
| First Name: | Benjamin A (Ben) | |
| Telephone: | 202-493-3122 | |
| E-mail: | benjamin.graybeal@dot.gov | |
| Office: | Office of Infrastructure Research and Development | |
| Team: | Bridge and Foundation Engineering Team [HRDI-40] | |
| Program: | IRT (Infrastructure Research and Technology) | |
| Laboratory: | Concrete Laboratory | |
| Project detail | ||
| Roadmap/Focus area(s): | Infrastructure Research and Technology Strategic Plan and Roadmap | |
| Project Description: | Compressive mechanical properties are critical indicators of the degree of hydration of concrete and are frequently used as indicators of other mechanical and durability properties. The rate of compressive mechanical response development is of importance to construction projects wherein the concrete hydration is on the critical path. Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), when used in field-cast connections between prefabricated bridge elements, can create robust connections that emulate monolithic components. Traditional UHPC formulations tend to express a delay prior to setting and initial mechanical property development. This research program investigated the compressive mechanical response of a new UHPC formulation intended for use in field-cast infrastructure connections. The time to initiation and rate of property development was observed to be influenced by the ambient environment surrounding the concrete during curing. At an elevated curing temperature, the UHPC was observed to reach 10,000 pounds per square inch compressive strength at 11 hours. The compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, axial strain at peak strength, and overall stress-strain response were captured under three curing conditions from early age through 56 days after casting. | |
| Goals: |
The objective of this research study was to evaluate the compressive mechanical response of a rapid strengthening ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) formulation when exposed to a range of curing conditions. This research result is critical to the broader use of UHPC-class materials as field-cast grouts in connections between Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems (PBES) components.
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| Product Type: | Research report Techbrief Technical report | |
| Test Methodology: | Complete standardized and modified material tests to assess basic compressive mechanical properties. Analyze results in context of prior research on similar materials. | |
| Expected Benefits: | This project will facilitate the broader use of ultra-high performance concrete-class materials, thus allowing for the construction of a more robust, durable highway infrastructure. | |
| Deliverables: | 1. Name: Compression Response of a Rapid-Strengthening Ultra-High Performance Concrete Formulation Product Type(s): Research report, Technical report Description: Full report providing the results of the research. 2. Name: Compression Response of a Rapid-Strengthening Ultra-High Performance Concrete Formulation Product Type(s): Techbrief Description: TechBrief. Executive Summary of the findings of the research. Publication URL(s): http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/structures/hpc/12064/index.cfm | |
| FHWA Topics: | Roads and Bridges--Construction and Project Management | |
| TRT Terms: | Concrete Structures Infrastructure Bridges Prefabricated Bridges Concrete Research Grout |
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| FHWA Disciplines: | Construction and Project Management Design Structures Pavement and Materials |
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| Subject Areas: | Bridges and other structures Materials Research Construction |
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