Construction Of Low-Cracking High-Performance Bridge Decks Incorporating New Technology

Abstract

Construction and early-age crack evaluations of four bridge decks in Minnesota placed from 2016 to 2018 that incorporate specifications for Internally-Cured Low-Cracking High-Performance Concrete (IC-LC-HPC) are documented in this study. Two additional decks that serve as Controls followed specifications for high-performance concrete and paired with IC-LC-HPC decks are included. Pre-wetted fine lightweight aggregate was used to provide a targeted internal curing water content of 8% by total weight of binder. The IC-LC-HPC mixtures included 27 to 30% slag cement by total binder weight while the Control mixtures included 25 or 35% Class F fly ash by total weight of binder. For one IC-LC-HPC deck, mixture proportions were modified based on a higher FLWA absorption than originally used to design the mixture. One IC-LC-HPC placement failed due to errors in FLWA moisture corrections and concrete batching that led to rejections of batches, leaving an inadequate supply of material to complete the deck. Crack surveys were completed for the IC-LC-HPC and Control decks placed in 2016 and 2017. Crack densities at these ages were low compared to most Low-Cracking High-Performance Concrete decks in Kansas and Internally-Cured High-Performance Concrete decks in Indiana, with the exception of one IC-LCHPC deck that exhibited extensive cracking within one year after placement, which had an overlay with a high cement paste content and no internal curing. This project serves as a foundation for implementing IC-LC-HPC in upcoming bridge decks in Kansas and Minnesota.