Innovative Concrete Bridging Systems for Pedestrian Bridges: Implementation and Monitoring

Status

 Complete                              View Final Report: PDF

Sequential Number

Identification Number

Matching Research Agency

City of Rolla, Missouri

Principal Investigator

Student Involvement

Project Objective

The objective of the research is to fabricate, instrument and monitor two new pedestrian bridges in the City of Rolla utilizing innovative advance concrete. As part of the study one standard high performance concrete (HPC) pedestrian bridge will be fabricated as well as a companion high strength-self consolidating concrete pedestrian bridge.

Project Abstract

The use of High-Strength Concrete (HSC) has become ordinary in the transportation industry because of its beneficial economical and material properties. HSC is advantageous since it reduces material requirements, permits longer girder spans and allows for increased girder spacing; thereby reducing material and total bridge cost. Over the past few years, Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) has gained increased use and acceptance in the US due to the reduced potential for segregation, voids and surface defects. SCC can eliminate the need for vibration due to the availability of new admixtures, and therefore reduces fabrication time and labor costs. Due to these advantages, SCC is becoming the material of choice for the precast industry as numerous research studies in recent years have studied the material and mechanical properties of SCC for use in precast members. The combination of the performance characteristics of SCC with the engineering properties of HSC will produce a cost effective material for the construction industry. This study involves the construction and monitoring of two pedestrian bridges in the City of Rolla, Missouri. The research effort involves the implementation of High Strength-Self-Consolidating Concrete (HS-SCC) as an integrated precast system for pedestrian bridges.

Anticipated Benefits

The research study will advance the state of knowledge on the transfer and development length, prestress losses, serviceability behavior, and load distribution of High Strength-Self-Consolidating Concrete (HS-SCC) precast elements and panels. The system also holds promise to provide a cost effective durable alternative for rapid construction of bridge systems in general.

Milestones

Relationship to other Research/Projects

This is a standalone project under the advanced materials theme of the Center for Transportation Infrastructure and Safety (CTIS) National University Transportation Center (NUTC) at Missouri S&T.

Technology Transfer Activities

The technology transfer activities will include a final research report and dissemination of the findings through a national conference via technical presentation and publication(s).

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Advanced Materials, Self Consolidating Concrete, High Strength Concrete, Pedestrian Bridges, Rapid Construction Techniques