EVALUATION OF ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE FOR USE IN BRIDGE CONNECTIONS AND REPAIR (FHWA-OK-21-03)
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Date
2020-02Author
Floyd, Royce W.
Volz,Jeffery S.
Funderburg, Chandler K.
McDaniel, Amy S.
Looney, Trevor
Choate, Jake
Roswurm, Stephen
Casey, Connor
Coleman, Raina
Leggs, Maranda
Vuth Chea, Kim Serey
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The project described in this report evaluated available proprietary ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) materials and
UHPC mix designs made with local materials for applicability to bridge joint installation and repair in Oklahoma and
developed recommendations for continued usage of UHPC in bridge construction in Oklahoma. Phase 1 of the project
developed a promising UHPC mix design, J3, using local materials. Two specific applications of UHPC were considered:
deck slab joints and girder continuity connections. Initial investigation of deck slab joint details was conducted using
small-scale flexural specimens to evaluate bond strength between UHPC and base concrete. Laboratory-scale full-depth
joints were cast and tested using both the proprietary UHPC material and the OU developed J3 mix design. Laboratory scale UHPC connections for live load continuity between precast girders were also designed and tested to failure. Two
different connection details were used, one representing new construction and one representing retrofit of an existing
structure. A field test involving retrofit of an existing expansion joint with UHPC joint headers was conducted on a bridge
identified in conjunction with ODOT and was monitored for almost three years. Phase 2 involved slab testing for a partial
depth slab joint detail, examination of reinforcement bond, and durability testing of both proprietary and non-proprietary
UHPC. UHPC bond to concrete substrate was also examined for different surface preparations and base concrete
saturation levels. The findings of the research indicate that UHPC provides improved performance relative to conventional
materials for the applications tested and the J3 mix design exhibits similar performance to proprietary UHPC.