- Topic Submission
- Discussion & Evaluation
- Development
- Project
Bridges & Structures
Construction
Materials
Is this related to or a continuation of a previous Iowa DOT research project?
No
Does this idea include matching funds?
Yes
Amount of Matching Funds
$ 0
Source of Matching Funds
Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center - Florida International University
Anticipated Benefits
With developing economic UHPC mixtures that are made of locally available materials, Iowa DOT will be provided with an economic, durable, and high-performance choice of concrete, which can be employed for a variety of bridge applications. Reduction in maintenance and repair activities, as well as the overall project cost are among the benefits of this project.
Focus Area
Sustainability / Technology
Research Program
IHRB
Project Title
Development of Non-Proprietary Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) for Iowa Bridges
Project Number
TR-773
Contracted Agency
Iowa State University
Principal Investigator
Funding Program
Iowa Highway Research Board
Project Funding
$135,000
Project Funding Including External Sources
$135,000
Partner Agencies
ABC-UTC - Florida International University
Project Start Date
04/01/2019
Current Project End Date
09/30/2021
Project Abstract
The main objectives of this project are to develop and characterize economic, non-proprietary UHPC mixes made with materials readily available in Iowa. These mixes are expected to be significantly less expensive than commercially available UHPC mixes, permitting to utilize the superior strength and durability of UHPC in more bridges in Iowa. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive review of published and unpublished literature will be conducted, followed by setting the performance criteria needed for various bridge components and exposure conditions. A special effort will be made to identify the materials that are available in Iowa and have the potential to replace the proprietary UHPC ingredients. Based on the information obtained from the literature review and the past experience of the proposing team, a number of non-proprietary mixes will be designed. A holistic set of laboratory tests will then be carried out to assess the performance of the developed UHPC mixes in both short and long term. The testing program will include the necessary experiments to ensure that the expected fresh, mechanical, transport, durability, and dimensional stability properties are achieved. Upon the completion of the laboratory tests, a cost analysis will be conducted to determine the most cost-effective, non- 5 proprietary UHPC mixes for bridge applications. Noting that almost half of the total cost of a UHPC mix comes from steel fibers, the proposing team will explore the possibility of replacing them with other less expensive choices of fiber through an ABC UTC-sponsored project that will supplement the current project. This combined effort will be an important step forward to optimize and recommend the mixture proportion of non-proprietary UHPC mixes appropriate for a wide range of bridge applications in Iowa.
Project Complete Date
09/24/2021
Project Deliverables
Media & Presentations
Final Report Abstract
Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) provides superior properties in strength and durability for the long-term performance of bridges. Despite these desirable properties and the potential to be applicable in the majority of projects, UHPC is still not widely used, mainly because of the cost associated with it. This report details a study performed on the design of non-proprietary UHPC mixes that provide comparable strength properties to that of commercially available mixtures. A set of base mixtures were explored by varying the ratios for various constituents and investigating their durability, strength, and transport properties, including volume stability and freeze-thaw resistance. In the later stage of the project, the selected non-proprietary mixes were evaluated for their flexural strength. The flexural strength in UHPC comes mainly from the fibers used in the mix. Bearing in mind the role of fibers, the effects of various types of steel fibers (i.e., variation in shape, size, and dosage) were evaluated. The role of fibers on strength and post-cracking behavior was carefully examined using laboratory testing and image analysis utilizing digital image correlation techniques. The efforts found that an optimal combination of micro- and macrofibers can enhance the flexural strength of UHPC mixtures. Steel fibers contribute to more than a third of the cost of UHPC mixtures, so the possibility of utilizing less expensive and more environmentally friendly synthetic fibers—polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohol, nylon, alkali resistant glass, or carbon—to partially replace the steel fibers could reduce the cost of UHPC. The steel fibers were partially replaced by the different synthetic fibers to see their effect on the UHPC’s fresh properties and flexural strength. Utilizing digital image correlation, the synthetic fiber contribution to post-cracking behavior was evaluated, especially from the crack width control and crack propagation aspects. The replacement of steel fibers with synthetic fibers showed promise for flexural strength and post-cracking behavior. This report provides recommendations for the preparation of cost-effective, non-proprietary UHPC mixtures that could be used for various transportation infrastructure applications. Further recommendations are also made for the optimal combination of different types of steel micro- and macrofibers to get the best flexural response. Recommendations are then extended for the use of different types of synthetic fibers and the optimum percentage of dosage replacement for steel fibers.
Project Champion
Technical Advisory Committee
Project Manager
Delivering targeted solutions for Iowa's transportation future.
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