National Concrete Pavement Technology Center

Project description

Concrete cracking affects the long-term condition and performance of both bridge and culvert structures. Shrinkage cracking is perceived to be a deterrent to placing exposed decks/slabs during bridge and culvert rehabilitation and replacement projects. Concrete cracking during bridge construction allows oxygen, moisture and salts into the structure accelerating corrosion and deterioration. Understanding methods to avoiding cracking at the mix design level will allow exposed decks to be more often considered as a viable option. This is especially critical as more rapid bridge projects are proposed. Different construction and specification methods have been previously explored to reduce concrete cracking at bridge curb locations. This research will explore alternates to current mix design practice including lightweight concrete, changes to PCC and pozzolan content, etc., to reduce concrete cracking. Stand alone, off structure concrete placement like sidewalks, concrete slabs, etc., could be used as test areas for observation. The NHDOT Bureau of Bridge Maintenance will work with the researchers at those locations as well as considering placement in bureau projects.