Title:
Shear Capacity of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete I-Girders with Orthogonal Welded Wire Reinforcement
Author(s):
G. Morcous, M. Maguire, and M.K. Tadros
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
265
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
511-532
Keywords:
I-girder; shear capacity; steel fibers; ultra-high-performance concrete; welded wire reinforcement.
DOI:
10.14359/51663311
Date:
10/1/2009
Abstract:
Several studies have indicated that the shear capacity of fiber-reinforced
ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) girders outperforms that of conventionally reinforced high-strength concrete girders. However, the extremely high material and production cost of fiber-reinforced UHPC girders limits its applications. This paper presents the experimental and analytical investigations performed to evaluate the shear capacity and economics of using welded wire reinforcement (WWR) in place of random steel fibers in UHPC precast/prestressed I-girders. Two economical, practical, and nonproprietary UHPC mixtures that eliminate the use of steel fibers were developed and tested for their mechanical properties. Two full-scale precast/prestressed concrete girders were designed and fabricated using the developed mixtures and reinforced using orthogonal WWR. The shear testing of the two girders indicated that their average shear capacity exceeds that of comparable fiber-reinforced UHP girders while being 62% less in total material cost. In addition, the production of welded wire-reinforced UHPC girders complies with current industry practices, and eliminates handling, mixing, and consolidation challenges associated with the production of fiber-reinforced UHPC girders.