International Perspective on UHPC in Bridge Engineering

Graybeal, Benjamin A.; Brühwiler, Eugen; Kim, Byung-Suk; Toutlemonde, François; Voo, Yen Lei; Zaghi, Arash E.

doi:10.1061/(asce)be.1943-5592.0001630

Cited by 212 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Researchers and engineers have been extensively appraising the use of UHPC in newly built structures, structural strengthening and rehabilitation, and civil infrastructure. For example, UHPC is extensively used in bridge systems (Voo et al 2015;Graybeal et al 2020), including decks (e.g., Hwang et al 2009;Shao et al 2017), cast in-situ connections (e.g., Graybeal 2015;Tazarv and Saiidi 2015), columns (Wang et al 2019c), and lightweight and durable bridge girders (e.g., Graybeal 2008). Moreover, because of its low permeability, UHPC has been shown to be an effective solution to the detrimental effects associated with environmental exposure (Ahlborn et al 2011;Alkaysi et al 2016), having less requirement for maintenance and longer service life.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, because of its low permeability, UHPC has been shown to be an effective solution to the detrimental effects associated with environmental exposure (Ahlborn et al 2011;Alkaysi et al 2016), having less requirement for maintenance and longer service life. The use of UHPC also enables designers to create innovative structural members that have less steel reinforcement, less reinforcement congestion, and reduced cross sections while providing superior mechanical performance (Graybeal 2006;Tadros and Voo 2016;Tadros et al 2019;Graybeal et al 2020;El-Tawil et al 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Review of Developments and Challenges for UHPC in Structural Engineering: Behavior, Analysis, and Design

2021

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The number of studies on ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) or ultrahigh-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHP-FRC) for more resilient and sustainable reinforced concrete (RC) structures has rapidly increased in recent years due to the superior mechanical and durability properties of UHPC. The application of UHPC as a replacement for conventional concrete materials in various RC elements necessitates a thorough understanding of the structural behavior of the reinforced UHPC (R/UHPC) components under various types of loadings. This paper presents a systematic review of the state-of-the-art developments in R/UHPC elements. It addresses various topics including beams, columns, beam-column joints, shear walls, bridges, structural retrofitting, and applications such as seismic and impact. Due to the ultrahigh tensile, compressive, and bond strengths, unique strain-hardening behavior, and ductility of UHPC, R/UHPC structures may exhibit substantially different behavior than conventional RC structures at both the component and system levels. This implies that particular attention must be paid when design and analysis approaches for conventional RC elements are applied to R/UHPC elements, and suggests that developing new design philosophies is warranted to take advantage of UHPC's unique mechanical properties. The present paper summarizes the developments in analysis and design approaches for R/UHPC elements under axial forces, shear forces, and bending moments, and highlights the advantages and limitations of these approaches. Important design considerations for effectively utilizing UHPC in structural elements are also suggested. In addition to normal-strength steel reinforcing bars, the potential for reinforcing UHPC with high-strength steel bars, fiber-reinforced polymer components, and structural steel shapes is discussed based on the results of pioneering studies. Finally, this paper identifies challenges and suggests future directions for research on UHPC in structural engineering.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Developments and Challenges for UHPC in Structural Engineering: Behavior, Analysis, and Design

2021

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“…Another potential solution would be the utilization of high-performance materials such as Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) to ensure improved performance in the 3 of 19 shear connections. UHPC-class materials typically exhibit compressive strengths beyond 120 MPa and tensile strengths above 5 MPa [15]. UHPC has been successfully applied in composite connections between precast concrete slabs and steel girders [16][17][18][19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Behavior of Steel-Concrete Composite Girders with UHPC-Grout Strip Shear Connection

Tian³

et al. 2021

Buildings

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This paper develops a new type of shear connection for steel-concrete composite bridges using Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) as the connection grout. The UHPC-grout strip shear connection is fabricated by preforming a roughened slot in the concrete deck slab, welding an embossed steel rib longitudinally to the upper flange of the steel girder, and casting the strip void between the slot and the steel rib with UHPC grout. The structural performance of the new connection was validated by two sets of experimental tests, including push-out testing of shear connectors and static and fatigue testing of composite beams. The results of push-out testing indicate that the UHPC-grout strip shear connection exhibits a significant improvement of ductility, ultimate capacity, and fatigue performance. The interface shear strength of the UHPC-grout strip connection is beyond 15 MPa, which is about three times that of the strip connection using traditional cementitious grouts. The ultimate capacity of the connection is dominated by the interface failure between the embossed steel and the UHPC grout. The results of composite-beam testing indicate that full composite action is developed between the precast decks and the steel beams, and the composite action remained intact after testing for two million load cycles. Finally, the trail design of a prototype bridge shows that this new connection has the potential to meet the requirements for horizontal shear.

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“…Though the term Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) has been used for decades, a unified definition of required material properties to merit this notation has not yet been accepted. In a novel paper by five leading researchers within the field, the following suggestion is made for defining UHPC class materials [1]: "(1) a compressive strength greater than 120 MPa; (2) a disconnected pore structure that significantly reduces permeability and thus enhances durability; and (3) sufficient fiber reinforcement to allow for sustained postcracking tensile resistance that exceeds a minimum cracking strength of 5 MPa". Research work over at least 50 years [2] has been manifested through various applications worldwide both within the bridge sector and the construction industry in general.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research work over at least 50 years [2] has been manifested through various applications worldwide both within the bridge sector and the construction industry in general. Some countries (e.g., Switzerland, France, Germany, South Korea, Malaysia, Canada, and the US) have successfully implemented UHPC in different bridge projects as field-cast connections between prefabricated concrete bridge elements, on-site rehabilitation overlays or as the primary material in new road or pedestrian bridges [1]. In most of these countries, the implementation has been motivated through government agencies [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Locally Produced UHPC: The Influence of Type and Content of Steel Fibres

Larsen

Thorstensen

2021

Nordic Concrete Research

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Ultra-high performance concrete might be a competitive alternative to normal concrete for some purposes. But despite research efforts during decades, utilisation is still not widespread. Reasons include limited competence and material availability. This paper presents one step of a research initiative aimed at facilitating the use of UHPC in Norway. The step presented here comprises the accumulated results from investigations on the influence steel fibres (content, type, and hybrid combination) have on material strength and deformation behaviour of locally produced UHPC, made with constituents found in southern Norway. 231 specimens were tested, spanning nine UHPC mixes. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) was successfully used to study crack propagation. Compressive strength of 166 MPa and E-modulus of 46 GPa were obtained, not being influenced by fibre content. The flexural tensile strength was found to be strongly dependent on variations in steel fibre properties and mix design. The highest flexural tensile strength was obtained for prisms with micro straight steel fibres alone, or in 50% combination with macro hooked-end fibres. The experimental results are considered in a theory-informed discussion. Suggestions are made on the use of steel fibres in locally produced UHPC, potentially lowering the cost by 30%.

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International Perspective on UHPC in Bridge Engineering

Cited by 212 publications

References 28 publications

A Review of Developments and Challenges for UHPC in Structural Engineering: Behavior, Analysis, and Design

A Review of Developments and Challenges for UHPC in Structural Engineering: Behavior, Analysis, and Design

Experimental Behavior of Steel-Concrete Composite Girders with UHPC-Grout Strip Shear Connection

Locally Produced UHPC: The Influence of Type and Content of Steel Fibres

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