Highly Abrasion-Resistant and Long-Lasting Concrete

Project Details
STATE

AK

SOURCE

TRID

START DATE

02/15/17

END DATE

12/31/18

RESEARCHERS

Carolyn Morehouse

SPONSORS

Center for Environmentally Sustainable Transportation in Cold Climates
University of Alaska Fairbanks
FHWA

KEYWORDS

Abrasion resistance, Concrete, Laboratory tests, Life cycle analysis, Mix design, Optimization, Surveys

Project description

Studded tire usage in Alaska contributes to rutting damage on pavements resulting in high maintenance costs and safety issues. In this study binary, ternary, and quaternary highly-abrasion resistant concrete mix designs, using supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), were developed. The fresh, mechanical and durability properties of these mix designs were then tested to determine an optimum highly-abrasion resistant concrete mix that could be placed in cold climates to reduce rutting damage. SCMs used included silica fume, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and type F fly ash. Tests conducted measured workability, air content, drying shrinkage, compressive strength, flexural strength, and chloride ion permeability. Resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, scaling due to deicers, and abrasion resistance were also measured. A survey and literature review on concrete pavement practices in Alaska and other cold climates was also conducted. A preliminary construction cost analysis comparing the concrete mix designs developed was also completed.
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