Engineering Commons^™

Development Of Internally Cured Concrete For Increased Service Life, John Schlitter, Ryan Henkensiefken, Javier Castro, Kambiz Raoufi, Jason Weiss, Tommy Nantung

JTRP Technical Reports

Higher strength, lower water to cement ratio (w/c) concrete has been advocated over the last two decades due to its increased strength and reduced permeability. The lower w/c of these concretes makes them susceptible to autogenous shrinkage. This autogenous shrinkage can be significant and can be a contributing factor to early age cracking. Internal curing was investigated as a potential method to improve the durability of concrete pavements and bridge decks. Prewetted lightweight aggregate was used to supply water to the hydrating cement paste. This additional water can counteract the hindered strength development, suspended hydration, autogenous shrinkage, and early age …

Implementation Of A Non-Metallic Reinforced Bridge Deck, Volume 2: Thayer Road Bridge, Robert J. Frosch, Ali Cihan Pay

JTRP Technical Reports

The primary maintenance problem with bridges in Indiana has been deterioration of the concrete deck which is often related to corrosion of the reinforcing steel. While a corrosion protection system consisting of epoxy-coated reinforcement in combination with 2-1/2 in. of Class C concrete cover has been used in Indiana, research and experience have demonstrated that this system can be compromised. As an alternative solution to the corrosion problem in reinforced concrete, fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars which are corrosion resistant can be provided as reinforcement. This research was divided into two phases directed towards the implementation of a nonmetallic reinforced …

Interaction Between Micro-Cracking, Cracking, And Reduced Durability Of Concrete: Developing Methods For Considering Cumulative Damage In Life-Cycle Modeling, Zhifu Yang, W. Jason Weiss, J. Olek

JTRP Technical Reports

It is becoming increasingly popular to utilize numerical simulation models to predict the long-term performance of concrete pavements and structures. The majority of these models have been developed using laboratory test data that considers concrete in an uncracked state. While uncracked concrete exists as the best case scenario, frequent cracking occurs in real structures that could have a profound impact on life cycle performance. Cracks from several sources may accumulate and interact thereby accelerating the deterioration of concrete. For example, the distributed cracking caused by freeze/thaw damage can substantially increases the rate of water absorption and reduces the load carrying …

An Investigation On Transversely Prestressed Concrete Bridge Decks, J. A. Ramirez, Jhon Paul Smith

JTRP Technical Reports

This study is concerned with the development of design specifications for the use of transverse post-tensioning in concrete bridge decks. The ultimate goal behind this proposal is to improve the durability of concrete bridge superstructures. Experimental results from previous studies are used to validate the analytical models implemented in the development of the design specifications. It is found that the required distribution of transverse post-tensioning is such that different application levels of prestressing are required in regions containing the interior and exterior (or outermost) diaphragms. It is also concluded that the magnitude of such transverse forces is a function of …

Design Of Durable Concrete Railroad Crossings, Anthony J. Lamanna, Charles F. Scholer

JTRP Technical Reports

Existing precast concrete railroad crossings in the state of Indiana are experiencing too short a life expectancy. This study proposes methods that can be used to produce durable concrete railroad crossings with satisfactory rideability, durability, and longevity. Thirty-two precast concrete railroad crossings were visited in central and northern Indiana. Failures were determined to belong to three major categories: structural capacity causes, environmental causes, and material property causes. A concrete mix was evaluated at three different polyolefin fiber contents and without fibers. Beams were tested in flexure, and modulus of rupture and first crack deflection were recorded for each beam. Cylinders …

Performance-Related Specifications For Concrete Bridge Superstructures, Volume 1: Performance Parameters And Related Procedure For Concrete Bridge Superstructures, J. A. Ramirez, Jhon Paul Smith

JTRP Technical Reports

In Volume 1 of the final report, the identification of performance levels and parameters, and the development of acceptance criteria, have been addressed. Emphasis has been placed on the development of a methodology for a Performance Related Specification, PRS, for concrete bridge superstructures. The implementation of the methodology, presented in the form of a user-friendly computer program, is project specific. It requires the mean and standard deviation (or definition of a probability distribution) of the input parameters for the performance predictive models. This is done for both the as-designed condition and the as-built condition of the structure. The contractor is …

Performance-Related Specifications For Concrete Bridge Superstructures, Volume 4: Bond Of Epoxy-Coated Bars With Thicker Coatings, J. A. Ramirez, Michael K. Appelhans

JTRP Technical Reports

In Volume 4 of the final report, the results of an evaluation of the bond performance of epoxy-coated bars with a coating thickness up to 18 mils are presented. The experimental work on the bond performance of epoxy-coated bars with thickness up to 18 mils indicates that the current AASHTO requirements for development length of epoxy-coated bars up to #8 could be safely extended to coating thickness of up to 18 mils. Thus, no change to the bond specifications is recommended in order to implement the use of bars with diameters up to a #8 with epoxy-coating thickness up to …

Performance-Related Specifications For Concrete Bridge Superstructures, Volume 3: Nonmetallic Reinforcement, Robert J. Frosch, Christopher P. Mosley, Ahmet Koray Tureyen

JTRP Technical Reports

In Volume 3 of the final report, research work conducted to investigate the behavior of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement is summarized. This study focused on the behavior of FRP reinforced concrete structures with an emphasis on bond and shear. For the bond investigation, three series of beam splice tests were performed on specimens reinforced with steel, glass FRP, and aramid FRP to determine the effect of the different types of reinforcement on bond, cracking, and deflections. The test results indicate that the use of FRP reinforcement leads to lower bond strengths and, therefore, require longer development lengths. The specimen …

Development And Evaluation Of Cement-Based Materials For Repair Of Corrosion-Damaged Reinforced Concrete Slabs, Rongtang Liu, J. Olek

JTRP Technical Reports

In this study, the results of an extensive laboratory investigation conducted to evaluate the properties of concrete mixes used as patching materials to repair reinforced concrete slabs damaged by corrosion are reported. Seven special concrete mixes containing various combinations of chemical or mineral admixtures were developed and used as a patching material to improve the durability of the repaired slabs. Physical and mechanical properties of these mixes, such as compressive strength, static modulus of elasticity, dynamic modulus of elasticity, and shrinkage were evaluated. Durability-related parameters investigated included resistance of concrete to penetration of chloride ions and freeze-thaw resistance. The results …

Performance Of Bridge Decks And Girders With Lightweight Aggregate Concrete, V. 2 Of 2, J. A. Ramirez, J. Olek, Eric Joseph Rolle, Brian Joseph Malone

JTRP Technical Reports

Structural lightweight concrete is a very versatile material and Haydite and Minergy lightweight aggregates can be utilized in the mixture development of concrete for use in girders and decks in bridges. More widespread use of lightweight aggregates (LWA) would result in savings in construction cost due to considerable dead load reduction.

The materials phase of this research study evaluated the fresh concrete properties (slump, unit weight, and air content), the mechanical properties of hardened concrete (compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, static and dynamic modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s Ratio, and temperature development), and durability related parameters (air void distribution, freeze-that …

Performance Of Bridge Decks And Girders With Lightweight Aggregate Concrete, J. A. Ramirez, J. Olek, Eric Joseph Rolle, Brian J. Manlone

JTRP Technical Reports

Structural lightweight concrete is a very versatile material and Haydite and Minergy lightweight aggregates can be utilized in the mixture development of concrete for use in girders and decks in bridges. More widespread use of lightweight aggregates (LWA) would result in savings in construction cost due to considerable dead load reduction. The materials phase of this research study evaluated the fresh concrete properties (slump, unit weight, and air content), the mechanical properties of hardened concrete (compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, static and dynamic modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s Ratio, and temperature development), and durability related parameters (air void distribution, freeze-thaw …

Methods Of Corrosion Protection And Durability Of Concrete Bridge Decks Reinforced With Epoxy-Coated Bars - Phase I, Lisa Michele Samples, J. A. Ramirez

JTRP Technical Reports

In this study, the results of an extensive field and laboratory investigation conducted to evaluate the corrosion performance of epoxy-coated reinforcement are reported. One hundred and twenty three concrete bridge decks containing epoxy-coated reinforcement, uncoated reinforcement, and various other corrosion protection systems were included in a field investigation. An initial visual inspection of these bridge decks showed that 44% had signs of distress from corrosion of the reinforcement. Six decks, representing 5% of the total sample, were selected for a second more detailed survey. Three of the six decks had epoxy-coated reinforcement. This number represents 11% of the total sample …

Testing Of Multi-Span Bridges With Full Span Precast Prestressed Concrete Panels (Phase 1), Robert J. Peterman, J. A. Ramirez

JTRP Technical Reports

The purpose of this study was to assess the behavior and durability of multi-span bridges constructed with full-span prestressed concrete form panels. The use of full-span prestressed concrete form panels for bridges with spans of 40 ft. or less is an economical method of construction due to the reduction of on-site formwork and labor required by alternate cast-in-place systems. In this research, a pair of two-span bridges utilizing full-span prestressed concrete form panels were fabricated and tested in the Karl H. Kettelhut Structural Engineering Laboratory at Purdue University. Time-dependent effects were monitored during the cast-in-place (CIP) concrete cure period of …