Title : RAPID STRENGTH CONCRETE FOR TRANSPORTATION STRUCTURES AND PAVEMENTS
Authors : B. Stein(1), R. Ryan(2), T. Kumar(3) and V. Perez(4)
Publication : 13th – 16th February 2013
Volume :
Pages : 12-Jan
Price : 250
Abstract : Rapid strength concrete (referred to in this paper as RSC) has been extensively used in USA for planned and emergency rehabilitation of structures and pavements. Authors discuss principles of acceleration of strength gain of cast-in-place concrete and principles of design (proportioning) of RSC with consideration for constructability. The presented analysis of project experience includes discussion of elements of best construction practices. The authors present a wide spectrum of RSC achieving strength needed for opening structures and pavements to public in 1 to 4 hours after concrete had been placed and finished. The paper contains an overview of properties of fresh and hardened RSC and discusses how materials (hydraulic cement, aggregates, and chemical admixtures) and proportions influence them. The discussion specifically addresses factors influencing workability and strength gain of RSC, and provides practical recommendations on controlling these two most important performance characteristics that enable the repair of damaged structures and pavements within short-time periods. The paper also deals with other aspects of RSC performance, defining quality of repair work and of new construction. The paper addresses properties of RSC defining their long term performance, such as resistance to sulphates, permeability, shrinkage and others.