National Concrete Pavement Technology Center

Project description

Steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) provides improved tensile performance of concrete. This improved performance can be used in slabs to reduce the volume of conventional steel reinforcement, create longer spans, or reduce slab thickness. Use of SFRC can lead to a reduction in structure weight and improvements in the safety and speed of construction. These benefits can result in cost savings in both the short term (construction labor) and the long term (improved quality and durability). To maximize the benefits of SFRC, it is necessary to establish optimal mix designs, identify target projects for implementation, and validate design procedures for SFRC. This project investigated the application of SFRC in pavements and bridge decks to reduce the amount of traditional steel used and to improve service level performance. The project consisted of four main tasks. The first was a review of the literature on SFRC applications to elevated slabs and slabs-on-grade. This was followed by case studies on implementation of SFRC for pavement and bridge decks. Results of the case studies informed the development of an experimental test program. Finally, all results were compiled to develop design recommendations and an implementation plan. The report summarizes the project findings and provides recommendations for the implementation of SFRC in Arizona Department of Transportation infrastructure.