Title:
Use of Alternative Materials to Reduce Shrinkage Cracking in Bridge Decks
Author(s):
Michael D. Brown, Cuyler A. Smith, J. Greg Sellers, Kevin J. Folliard, and John E. Breen
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
104
Issue:
6
Appears on pages(s):
629-637
Keywords:
bridge deck; extensibility; shrinkage cracking
DOI:
10.14359/18967
Date:
11/1/2007
Abstract:
According to a survey conducted in 1996, respondents in several state departments of transportation indicated that more than 100,000 bridge decks in the U.S. have suffered from early age transverse cracking, a crack pattern that typically arises due to drying shrinkage. Concrete material properties are treated as a means through which to improve the resistance restrained drying shrinkage cracking. Various test methods are discussed as they relate to determining the resistance of a material to shrinkage cracking. Materials-based methods of controlling drying shrinkage are presented. The materials discussed include fibers, shrinkage-compensating concrete, shrinkage-reducing admixtures, and extensible concrete. It was determined in small laboratory specimens, and confirmed in large-scale bridge deck specimens, that several of the alternative mixtures adequately reduced restrained drying-shrinkage cracking.