Control of Concrete Cracking in Bridges

Cracking of concrete in bridges continues to be a concern for bridge owners, particularly with bridge decks exposed to severe environments. The control of cracking for aesthetic, durability, and structural reasons becomes increasingly important as service-life goals are extended and higher-strength concrete, higher-strength reinforcement, and different types of reinforcement are used in bridge construction. This study provides information on methods used to control concrete cracking in bridge superstructures and substructures, and on the influence of cracking on long-term durability. The study found that no single best practice can be used to enhance concrete bridge deck performance. Useful practices include reducing drying shrinkage of the concrete mix; reducing temperature differences; nighttime concrete placements; and the use of supplementary cementitious materials, internal curing, shrinkage-reducing admixtures, or shrinkage compensating concrete. Wet curing of concrete decks beginning immediately after concrete finishing and continuing for at least 7 days, followed by the application of a curing compound, was identified as an appropriate construction practice for concrete bridge decks. For prestressed concrete beams, end zone cracking can often be prevented by revising the detensioning sequence. Cracking in concrete substructures was of less concern than in superstructure components.

• Record URL:
  • https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/24689
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780309389815
• Authors:
  • Russell, Henry G
• Publication Date: 2017

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 114p
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: 500

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge substructures; Bridge superstructures; Concrete bridges; Cracking
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01629556
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309389815
• Report/Paper Numbers: Project 20-05, Topic 47-01
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 20 2017 11:55AM