Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2001

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Civil Engineering

Abstract

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) defines high performance concrete (HPC) as concrete meeting special combinations of performance and uniformity requirements that cannot always be achieved routinely using conventional constituents and normal mixing and curing practices. The initial emphasis of HPC was to develop concrete with increased strengths, but in recent years additional emphasis has been to provide improved durability characteristics. These improved strength and durability characteristics are especially important in the design of highway bridges. In an effort to improve and extend the service life of bridges, the Federal Highway Administration (FHW A) initiated a national program to develop high performance concrete. Since the use of HPC has increased, the material properties of the concrete must be accurately determined to ensure the safety and _serviceability of the resulting structures. The South Dakota Department of Transportation Project SD98-06 used the first commercially produced HPC in South Dakota. The goal of the research of this project is to measure and describe the physical properties of the new mix. This thesis is an analysis of the testing related to determining the coefficient of thermal expansion and shrinkage related strain in the concrete. Through the applied testing and analysis, it is evident that the coefficient of thermal expansion is within the range quoted for concrete using quartzite aggregate. Also evident is the reduced amount of drying shrinkage exhibited by the HPC. When compared to the standard equations accepted by ACI Committee 209 (1994) for predicting drying shrinkage, the amount of ultimate drying shrinkage in the HPC is greatly overestimated. While the amount of drying shrinkage is reduced, a problem arises with the plastic shrinkage encountered in the HPC. It appears that implementing silica fume as a partial replacement for cement produced HPC with a significant amount of shrinkage cracking.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

High strength concrete -- Testing High strength concrete -- Expansion and contraction
Concrete bridges -- South Dakota -- Design and construction

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

139

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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