Concrete Systems for a 100-Year Design Life

Details

• Creators:
  Najaf, Erfan ; Landis, Eric
• Corporate Creators:
  University of Maine. Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center (TIDC)
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program ; United States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Aggregate Gradation Aggregates Bridge Decks Cellulose Concrete Curing Concrete Setting Cracking Curing Cellulose Nanofibrils (CNF) Design Mix Design Optimization Shrinkage Sustainable Development Thermal Stresses

  More +
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; New England
• Edition:
  Final Report
• Corporate Publisher:
  University of Maine. Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center (TIDC)
• Abstract:
  Early-age cracking, driven by shrinkage and thermal stresses, is a critical durability concern for concrete infrastructure, particularly in the cold climates of the New England region. This report presents a comprehensive, three-pronged investigation into developing practical and sustainable strategies to produce more crack-resistant concrete. The research integrates fundamental mix design optimization, full-scale structural analysis, and the use of advanced nanomaterials. The first phase focused on creating an inherently low-shrinkage and sustainable concrete mix. By optimizing aggregate gradation using the Tarantula Curve methodology, the cement content was significantly reduced. This approach paradoxically increased the 28-day flexural strength by up to 49% while simultaneously reducing drying shrinkage by over 25% and CO₂ emissions by 30%. The incorporation of 15% pre-wetted lightweight fine aggregate (LWFA) for internal curing provided an additional 20% reduction in shrinkage with only a minor trade-off in mechanical strength. The second phase quantified the risk of thermal cracking in composite bridge decks. An analysis of in-situ temperature data from a concrete-on-steel-girder bridge revealed that thermal gradients, driven by the heat of hydration and ambient temperature swings, can induce tensile strains that exceed the concrete's early-age capacity, leading to cracking. A computational model demonstrated that controlling the temperature differential between the concrete and steel to within 4-5°C is an effective strategy to mitigate this risk.
• Format:
  PDF
• Collection(s):
  University Transportation Centers
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:19fcdf078793eaf27f3855e887219bd36711a49f640b858c5e3a1074e2a08052e1907c5e4e7e19cce9961d7b785c78519c24af2a5e58dfe0449a0040751233a0
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/89003/dot_89003_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 3.86 MB ]