As described in greater detail in the final report, the investigation yielded several conclusions including: suitable materials for use in ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) can be easily obtained in the state of Montana; the initial 4-variable central composite design (CCD) proved to be an efficient tool for characterizing the effect of the various concrete constituents on the performance of UHPC; the follow-on 3-variable CCD also proved to be a very useful tool for characterizing the effects of the various concrete constituents on the performance of UHPC, and also proved useful for optimization; batch size and mixing method were observed to have a significant effect on resultant plastic and hardened concrete properties; the mechanical and durability tests performed on the selected UHPC mix demonstrated the exceptional mechanical properties and durability of this material; and overall this research demonstrated that self-consolidating, non-proprietary UHPC mixes can be made economically (less than $1,000/yd3) with materials readily available in the state of Montana.
Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has mechanical and durability properties that far exceed those of conventional concrete. Thus, elements made with UHPC have longer service lives, decreased maintenance costs, and are thinner/lighter than elements made with conventional concrete. However, using UHPC in conventional concrete applications has been cost prohibitive, with commercially available/proprietary mixes exceeding $2,000 per cubic yard, which is about 20 times the cost of conventional concrete. The proposed research will aim to develop and characterize non-proprietary UHPC mixes made with materials readily available in Montana. These mixes are anticipated to be significantly less expensive than the commercially available UHPC mixes, thus allowing for the use of UHPC in construction projects in the state. In particular, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) Bridge Bureau is interested in using UHPC as a field-cast jointing material between precast concrete deck panels and girders and between the flanges of adjacent girders.
The objective of the proposed project is to develop and characterize non-proprietary UHPC mixes to determine whether UHPC is a cost effective, viable option for Montana bridges. This objective will be met by first developing UHPC mixes with materials readily available in Montana. These mixes will then be evaluated via a suite of mechanical and durability tests to fully characterize their performance. This evaluation will also include an assessment of the cost of these new mixes. The results of this study will then be analyzed, and a final report will be prepared.
The objective of the proposed project is to develop and characterize non-proprietary ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) mixes to determine whether UHPC is a cost effective, viable option for Montana bridges.
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