Structural Performance of Prestressed Self-Consolidating Concrete Bridge Girders Made with Limestone Aggregates

In 2001, it was reported that 29% of the nation’s bridges were structurally deficient or functionally obsolete (ASCE 2001). The cost of eliminating all the reported deficiencies was estimated at $10.6 billion a year for 20 years. The high cost of replacing and/or upgrading the deficient bridges has prompted engineers to investigate the feasibility of constructing new bridges using innovative materials that possess enhanced engineering properties. Recent studies have shown that the use of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) results in improved finished quality, increased production efficiency, and reduced labor cost (Goodier 2003; PCI 2003). Because of the favorable properties that SCC exhibits, the Federal Highway Administration and the precast concrete industry have been promoting the research and development of SCC for structural applications in bridges (FHWA 2005). The use of SCC for prestressed applications is relatively new to local designers and producers in South Dakota. Because of the lack of data on the performance of SCC using South Dakota aggregates, there is hesitancy by local engineers and producers to design and fabricate prestressed SCC bridge girders. In western South Dakota, limestone aggregate is used in the production of concrete. Previous research efforts at SDSU have focused on the structural performance of prestressed SCC bridge girders made with quartzite aggregates. To assure the applicability of prestressed SCC concrete statewide, a similar fabrication and testing regimen needed to be conducted on girders made with limestone aggregate. Therefore, research was needed to study the performance of prestressed SCC bridge girders made with limestone aggregates to develop draft specifications, acceptance criteria, mix qualifications, and guidelines for use by SDDOT for prestressed SCC applications. The study covered in this report was undertaken to address the following two main objectives. 1. Evaluate the feasibility and performance of SCC using limestone coarse aggregate in prestressed concrete products. 2. Develop draft specifications, acceptance criteria, mix qualifications, and guidelines for use of SCC by SDDOT.

• Record URL:
  https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=630
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  South Dakota State University, Brookings

  Brookings, SD  United States  57006

  Mountain-Plains Consortium

  North Dakota State University
  Fargo, ND  United States  58108
• Authors:
  • Wehbe, Nadim
  • Sigl, Arden
  • Gutzmer, Zachary
  • Stripling, Chad
• Publication Date: 2009-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 235p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Admixtures; Bridges; Feasibility analysis; Girders; Limestone aggregates; Performance; Self compacting concrete; Structural analysis
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Materials; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I32: Concrete; I36: Aggregates;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01146349
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MPC Report No. 08-196
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 15 2009 3:03PM