Every Day Counts Round 6 (EDC-6) began in January 2021 and UHPC for Bridge Preservation and Repair (P&R) is one of the seven innovations being deployed. The purpose of this EDC-6 deployment is to promote and facilitate the use of UHPC by bridge owners to strengthen, repair, and preserve existing bridges.
FHWA began delivering free workshops to bridge owner agencies that cover the uses and benefits of UHPC for bridge preservation and repair. The workshops are broken into 11 modules delivered over seven hours. They are being offered virtually (as two half-days) or in-person (one full day). The seven-hour workshops have thus far been delivered to 25 different agencies. Bridge owner agencies, and Local Technical Assistance Programs, are welcome to request the free workshop through April 2023. Those interested should request workshops through their FHWA Division Office EDC Coordinator Lismary Gavillan, or email Justin Ocel for more information.
Recent Publications
May 2022 – Researchers at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center published a FHWA Report, entitled Design and Construction of UHPC-Based Bridge Preservation and Repair Solutions (FHWA-HRT-22-065). This document aims to familiarize the reader with the material, mechanical, and durability properties of UHPC, along with common and emerging UHPC-based P&R solutions. Most notably, the document contains information on design and construction for three promising and fastest growing UHPC P&R applications: bridge deck overlays, link slabs, and steel beam end repair. Get the pdf version of the document on the FHWA website.
June 2022 – Researchers at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center published a FHWA Research Notes, entitled Assessing Chloride Ingress Through Construction Joints in UHPC Overlays (FHWA-HRT-22-078). To accommodate construction sequencing during installation of UHPC overlays, vertical cold joints between UHPC pours are often unavoidable. Ingress of water and chlorides through these cold joints can affect the durability of the overlay. This study aims to assess chloride ingress through construction joints in UHPC overlays. Four different formwork details were investigated, replicating techniques that might be employed in the field. A sodium chloride (NaCl) solution was ponded over specimens for 1 year. Measured chloride profiles indicated that in all cases there was no detectable chloride penetration beyond a depth of 0.2 inches. Access the FHWA Research Notes on the FHWA website.
August 2022 – Researchers at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center published an FHWA TechNote, entitled Techniques to Inhibit Corrosion in Bridge Deck Reinforcement Prior to Overlay Installation (FHWA-HRT-22-087). Corrosion of steel reinforcement is one of the primary contributing factors to bridge deck deterioration. One strategy is to apply a bridge deck overlay and sometimes corrosion-inhibiting chemicals and sealers are also applied to reduce the ingress of deleterious ions. The primary objective of this document is to explore a series of techniques to inhibit the corrosion of existing reinforcement in conventional concrete bridge decks prior to installing an overlay, with an emphasis on UHPC overlays. Visit the US Department of Transportation National Transportation Library to access the full document.