Reduction in the Early-Age Cracking of a Concrete Bridge Deck

This paper describes how two lanes of a 27 -span, 2700 -foot long, partially curved continuous steel girder bridge were cast during the summer of 2001 in Pennsylvania. Extensive transverse cracking over the entire length of the bridge was observed immediately following the removal of moist curing. Prior to the placement of the two remaining lanes in an adjacent bridge during the summer of 2002, research was conducted to determine the likely causes for the early -age cracking. Recommendations were made to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to reduce the concrete placement temperature, modify the concrete mixture design, alter some key construction practices, and change the placement sequence. Cracking in the eastbound lanes was reduced by 62 percent over the previously cast lanes. Crack surveys were used to document performance.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Concrete Bridge Council

  Portland Cement Association, 5420 Old Orchard Road
  Skokie, IL  United States  60077-1083
• Authors:
  • Camisa, Steven J
  • Tepke, David G
  • Schokker, Andrea J
  • Tikalsky, Paul J
• Conference:
  • The 2004 Concrete Bridge Conference
  • Location: Charlotte NC, United States
  • Date: 2004-5-17 to 2004-5-18
• Publication Date: 2004

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 13p
• Monograph Title: Building a New Generation of Bridges

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Admixtures; Bridge decks; Concrete bridges; Cracking; Mix design; Temperature; Transverse cracking
• Uncontrolled Terms: Deck placement methods; Early age concrete; Early age cracking; Transverse
• Geographic Terms: Pennsylvania
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Materials; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01036239
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 27 2006 8:14AM