APPLICATIONS OF HIGH STRENGTH CONCRETE FOR HIGHWAY BRIDGES. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. FINAL REPORT

This document presents the results of a study and experimental work to determine the potential benefits of using high strength (10,000 psi compressive strength) concrete for highway bridge construction. Current knowledge and applications of high strength concrete are reviewed and related to use with the AASHTO bridge specifications. Conceptual designs are developed that show the potential of increased span lengths and/or wider girder spacings for commonly used prestressed concrete girder shapes. The designs show that cross sectional areas of compression members (such as struts) can be reduced and thinner sections can be used for segmental bridges, arch bridges, and piers. The capacity of thin concrete plates in buckling is studied. A computer program is presented that is capable of developing comprehensive interaction diagrams to determine whether local thin plate buckling or overall stability is the controlling factor for square hollow piers made with thin plates of high strength concrete. Piers 15-feet (4.6 m) long, 5-feet (1.5 m) square with 1-1/2-inch (40 mm) thick walls were load tested under varying eccentricities to confirm the interaction diagrams. Code proposals and concepts for more rapidly adapting the use of high strength concrete to highway bridges are suggested.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • The full final report for this study (FHWA/RD-87/080) is not being published, but it is available through the National Technical Information Service. A limited number of copies are available while supplies last from the Structures Division, FHWA.
• Corporate Authors:

  Concrete Technology Corporation

  1123 Port of Tacoma Road
  Tacoma, WA  United States  98467

  Federal Highway Administration

  Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, 6300 Georgetown Pike
  McLean, VA  United States  22101
• Authors:
  • Jobse, H J
• Publication Date: 1987-10

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 29 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Arch bridges; Bridge members; Bridge piers; Buckling; Computer programs; Eccentricity; Girders; High strength concrete; Highway bridges; Length; Load tests; Prestressed concrete; Segmental construction; Spacing; Specifications; Structural supports; Struts; Thin plates
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge spans; Compression members
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Materials; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00467783
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/RD-87/079, FCP 35K1-022
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FH-11-9510
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 31 1989 12:00AM