Designer's Guide Presents the State-of-the-Practice for HPC Technology

A comprehensive new High-Performance Concrete Structural Designer’s Guide is now available from the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) High-Performance Concrete (HPC) Technology Delivery Team. “This thorough state-of-the-practice document covers all elements of HPC technology,” says Lou Triandafilou of the HPC Technology Delivery Team.

According to a 2004 survey on HPC implementation nationwide conducted by the Technology Delivery Team, 77 percent of States have used HPC in low permeability concrete and 58 percent of States have used it in high strength concrete for structures.

Guidelines are provided on the fabrication, transportation, and erection of precast, prestressed HPC beams, as well as performing cast-in-place construction of substructures and superstructures.

Among the topics covered in the guide are the characteristics and grades of HPC for various applications and environments. Material properties of HPC that are important in assuring long-term structural performance are also highlighted, and guidelines are provided for developing HPC mix designs and proportioning materials.

Guidelines are also provided on the fabrication, transportation, and erection of precast, prestressed HPC beams, as well as performing cast-in-place construction of substructures and superstructures. “Special attention is paid to the construction of bridge decks,” notes Triandafilou. The most common instruments that can be used for field measurement and recording of strain deflection, rotation, acceleration, and temperature of HPC members are identified. In addition, the guide provides cost information and methods for assessing the cost-effectiveness of HPC, including guidelines for estimating the initial construction cost and life-cycle costs.

Also presented is an overview of several HPC projects around the United States, with information on lessons learned and contact names or Web links for further details on the projects. Looking at the future of HPC, the guide spotlights recently completed HPC research projects, as well as ongoing testing that may lead to the next generation of HPC. Web links to State department of transportation research projects are provided.

“The guide will be updated periodically to keep pace with the latest developments in HPC, particularly as the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and industry organizations modify their codes or guide specifications to reflect new research findings and construction experiences,” says Triandafilou.

The High-Performance Concrete Structural Designer’s Guide is available on CD-ROM and will also be posted online at knowledge.fhwa.dot.gov/hpc. For more information, to obtain a copy on CD-ROM, or to submit comments or questions about the guide, contact Lou Triandafilou at FHWA, 410-962-3648 (email: lou.triandafilou@fhwa.dot.gov).

Learn more about high-performance concrete by visiting FHWA's High-Performance Concrete Exchange (knowledge.fhwa.dot.gov/hpc/)

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Articles in this issue:

A Giant Leap Forward for Pavement Preservation

Closing the Gaps: Making Work Zones Safer for the Visually Impaired

Today's Asphalt Technology for Tomorrow's Workforce

Designer's Guide Presents the State-of-the-Practice for HPC Technology

In Brief...

Highway technology calendar

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