Self-compacting concrete use in bridge transfer beams

This paper describes the development of self-compacting concrete to cast two 34m long, 1.6m wide and 2.3m deep transfer beams. The beams were to facilitate sliding a new bridge deck to replace an existing railway underbridge. Construction of the beams presented some challenges. The beams were cast within 3.5m diameter, 15m long pipe culverts constructed through the railway embankment at the existing bridge abutments. Because of extremely restricted working space and congested reinforcement, it was decided that a 40MPa self-compacting mix should be used. Semi-adiabatic temperature monitoring and finite element modelling was undertaken to assess the temperature rise due to concerns over the risk of early-age thermal cracking. Trials were undertaken at the plant and on site to assess the suitability of the mix using a suite of workability tests based on the then draft RMS QA B80 specification. Trial beams were cast and cut into sections to assess compaction and segregation. The transfer beams were successfully cast and the bridge slide completed over a Christmas-New Year track possession in 2011. A number of practical lessons were learnt during the trials and casting which have implications for other users of self-compacting concrete.

• Authors:
  • Wieloch, M
  • Bui, V
  • Madrio, H
  • Wimpenny, D
• Conference:
  • Concrete Institute of Australia Conference, 26th, 2013, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
• Publication Date: 2013-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 8p
• Monograph Title: Concrete 2013: understanding concrete: 16-18 October 2013, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Beams; Bridges; Compaction; Concrete; Concrete bridges; Construction; Construction management; Mix design
• Geographic Terms: New South Wales
• ATRI Terms: Beam; Compaction; Concrete bridge; Construction method; Mix design
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01514724
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 20 2014 10:15AM