Title: UHPC: A game-changing material for PCI bridge producers
Date Published: March-April 2017
Volume: 62
Issue: 2
Page Numbers: 34-46
Author: J.P. Binard
https://doi.org/10.15554/pcij62.2-01
Click here to view the full journal article
Abstract
Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has become a prominent subject in the construction industry, and particularly the precast, prestressed concrete industry, for connections of components, as well as various pilot projects using prefabricated components. The well-documented and researched material characteristics of UHPC offer a new suite of bridge solutions that have yet to be fully implemented by PCI producers. Inspired by Dura Technology founder and chief executive officer Yen Lei Voo, six PCI representatives in conjunction with the fib (International Federation for Structural Concrete) Task Group 6.5, Precast Concrete Bridges, took a TechnoQuest trip to Malaysia, where they investigated Voo’s company. The purpose of the visit was to observe a facility solely focused on fabricating UHPC components for bridges and other heavy civil structures. The idiosyncrasies of the manufacturing facility illustrated many similarities to the current means and methods of fabrication in the United States by PCI bridge producers, aside from the material difference. The observations of the group, both in terms of means and methods as well as possible advantages for future endeavors in the United States, are presented.
References
Russell, H. G., and B. A. Graybeal. 2013. Ultra-High Performance Concrete: A State-of-Art Report for the Bridge Community. FHWAHRT-13-060. McLean, VA: FHWA (Federal Highway Administration).
Graybeal, B. 2010. Behavior of Field-Cast Ultra High Performance Concrete Bridge Deck Connections under Cyclic and Static Structural Loading. National Technical Information Service accession PB2011-101995. McLean, VA: FHWA.
Graybeal, B. 2012. Development of a Field-Cast Ultra-High Performance Concrete Composite Connection Detail for Precast Concrete Bridge Decks. Report HRT-12-042. McLean, VA: FHWA.
Graybeal, B. 2013. Development of Non-proprietary Ultra-High Performance Concrete for Use in the Highway Bridge Sector. FHWA-HRT-13-100. McLean, VA: FHWA.
AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials). 2014. AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. 7th ed. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
Graybeal, B. 2014. Splice Length of Prestressing Strand in Field-Cast Ultra-High Performance Concrete Connections. FHWA-HRT-14-041. McLean, VA: FHWA.
Voo, Y. L., W. K. Poon, and S. Foster. 2010. “Shear Strength of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Ultrahigh-Performance Concrete Beams without Stirrups.” Journal of Structural Engineering 136 (11): 1393–1400.
ACI (American Concrete Institute) Committee 544. 2009. Report on Fiber Reinforced Concrete. ACI 544.1-96. Reapproved in 2009. Farmington Hills, MI: ACI.
Voo, Y. L., W. K. Poon, C. C. Voo, and S. Foster. “Ultrahigh-Performance Concrete Segmental Bridge Technology: Toward Sustainable Bridge Construction.” Journal of Bridge Engineering 20 (8): BS50114001-1– BS50114001-12.
ACI Committee 544. 2009. Design Considerations for Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete. ACI 544.4-96. Reapproved in 2009. Farmington Hills, MI: ACI.