Low-Cracking High-Performance Concrete (LC-HPC) for Durable Bridge Decks

View/ Open
Issue Date
2017-10Author
Darwin, David
Khajehdehi, Rouzbeh
Feng, Muzai
Lafikes, James
Ibrahim, Eman
O’Reilly, Matthew
Publisher
American Concrete Institute
Type
Technical Report
Published Version
https://iri.ku.edu/papersMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The goal of this study was to implement cost-effective techniques for improving bridge deck service life through the reduction of cracking. Work was performed both in the laboratory and in the field, resulting in the creation of Low-Cracking High-Performance Concrete (LC-HPC) specifications that minimize cracking through the use of low slump, low paste content, moderate compressive strength, concrete temperature control, good consolidation, minimum finishing, and extended curing. This paper documents the performance of 17 decks constructed with LC-HPC specifications and 13 matching control bridge decks based on crack surveys. The LC-HPC bridge decks exhibit less cracking than the matching control decks in the vast majority of cases. Only two LC-HPC bridge decks have higher overall crack densities than their control decks, which are the two best performing control decks in the program, and the differences are small. The majority of the cracks are transverse and run parallel to the top layer of the deck reinforcement. The results of this study demonstrate the positive effects of reduced cement paste contents, concrete temperature control, limitations on or de-emphasis of maximum concrete compressive strength, limitations on maximum slump, the use of good consolidation, minimizing finishing operations, and application of curing shortly after finishing and for an extended time on minimizing cracking in bridge decks.
Collections
Citation
Darwin, D., Khajehdehi, R., Feng, M., Lafikes, J., Ibrahim, E., and O’Reilly, M., “Low-Cracking High-Performance Concrete (LC-HPC) for Durable Bridge Decks,” Cracking and Durability in Sustainable Concretes, American Concrete Institute Symposium Vol., SP-336, R. Leistikow and K. W. Kramer, ed., 2019, pp. 101-116.
Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.