Ultra High Strength Concrete Wearing Surface for Asphalt and Concrete Road as well as Bridge Deck

One Ph.D. student

The main objective of this project is to develop UHPC materials to be used as long-life pavement materials. This project aims at maximizing the performance of a thin layer of pavement material by reaching to an optimized composition of SCMs and proper types and amounts of fibers.

Pavements usually consist in base and sub-base layers which last 20-40 years or more, covered with a wearing coarse having a much shorter service life. The maintenance works for these surface layers induce high external costs [1]. In order to solve the problem, intensive effort is devoted to introducing new generations of materials to enhance the performance of such surface layers. With regard to their amazing mechanical and durability performances, UHPC materials have changed to issues of great importance in this research area.

Due to time, cost, and environmental considerations, developing new concrete materials for pavement applications to achieve the minimum possible thickness is of a great significance. But, besides the mentioned benefits of producing pavement materials of minimum possible thicknesses, these materials are prone to shrinkage and cracking. As solution for this problem, the idea of fiber-reinforced mortar for the wearing surface is proposed. Pavements manufactured from ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) can provide significant durability improvement due to the high strength and extremely low permeability of the UHPC material. It is worth mentioning that to enhance both the mechanical and durability properties of these pavement materials, it is suggested to incorporate the steel and/or synthetic fibers in the mixtures as a technical and environment friendly solution [2]. Besides it should be noted that the use of fibers can lead to a reduction in pavement depth, thus, reducing the overall costs, as well as speeding the on-site process and reducing trip hazards [3].

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.

Transportation-Related Keywords

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(s) and publication(s).

Project Deliverables

Anticipated Benefits

Development ofan ultra-high strength, fiber-reinforced concrete overlay on asphalt or concrete roads that can be used to extend service life of pavements subjected to heavy traffic in the United States.

Milestones