Overview
Ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concretes (UHPFRC) show extraordinary mechanical properties and a very high density when compared to ordinary concretes. From this follows the basic idea to use UHPFRC efficiently for the rehabilitation of highway structures made of reinforced concrete by applying UHPFRC only in those zones of the structure that are subjected to severe mechanical and environmental action. In this case, the UHPFRC contributes significantly to both the durability and resistance performance of the rehabilitated structure.
This may lead to an important potential for efficiency increase in the maintenance of highway structures by a significant improvement of the durability of the rehabilitated structure, by a reduced duration of the construction works and consequently by reduced overall costs.
Based on the results of an already 5 year old research activity at MCS-EPFL in the domain of UHPFRC and UHPFRC-concrete composite structural elements, a research project is proposed.
The aim of the research project consists in preparing the technological basis for the application of UHPFRC for rehabilitation interventions on highway structures and in showing possible increase in efficiency using this new technology, when compared to ordinary rehabilitation methods.
Applications of the aforementioned basic idea will be developed first.
Several technological aspects, relevant for the rehabilitation of highway structures, will be investigated and validated.
The results of the research will be presented, considering the state-of-the-art, in the form of “Recommendations for the application of UHPFRC for rehabilitation of highway structures”.
Funding
Results
Report containing the current state of knowledge (2008) in the domain of application of Ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concretes (UHPFRC) for the maintenance of highway structures.