Current ICT Project
Investigators:
  Dr. Mohammad Alhassan (Primary), Dr. Suleiman Ashur
Project Title:
  Superiority & Constructability of Fibrous Additives for Bridge Deck Overlays
Start Date: 1/1/2009
End Date: 12/31/2010
Summary of Project:
  The high repair cost of the large number of deteriorated bridge deck systems in the U.S. dictates the need for an optimum protection strategy. Protective overlays are in need to prevent the penetration of chloride ions resulting from the intensified application of deicers and consequent corrosion and deterioration problems in bridge decks. The overlay is also needed for wear resistance and to provide good riding quality and aesthetic product. Keeping the bridge deck system in excellent performance condition, free of cracking and deterioration for extended longevity, by providing overlays with superior performance characteristics is more cost effective than using conventional overlays. Fibrous additives, if properly proportioned and used, can extend the design life of various overlay types by reducing cracks. Incorporating discontinuous synthetic fibers into an overlay prevents early-age cracking and enhances the materials toughness and crack arresting characteristics.
Objective of Project:
  The objective of this research study is to evaluate the advantages that the fibrous additives can add to the performance of bridge deck concrete overlays. Anticipated advantages include minimizing plastic shrinkage cracking and provide crack arresting mechanism and residual strength to the overlay concrete; thus keeping the crack width to hairline scale and prevent crack propagation, which in turn maintain the intended low permeability of the concrete overlay. On the other hand, the fibrous concrete overlay must be constructible without complications during mixing, placing, and finishing practices.
Expected Outcome:
  The principal expected outcome from the research project is a synthesis submitted to the IDOT/ICT that documents the entire experimental procedures, obtained results, analysis of the results, and recommendations/guidelines on the design and construction of high performance, durable, and crack resistant LMC and MSC overlay mixtures with fibrous additives. This in turn will lead to substantial life-cycle cost savings, aesthetic product, good riding quality, and enhancement in the overall structural behavior and performance of bridges. The findings of the study will be presented at the TRB meetings and gathering of other organizations, such as ACI, PCI, ASCE, PCA, etc. The results will also be published in refereed journals and conference proceedings.
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Last Updated: 11/18/2009