Internal Curing of Concrete Bridge Decks --- Demonstration of Early Age Crack Mitigation and Evaluation of Enhanced Freeze-Thaw Performance

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General Information
Solicitation Number: 1156
Former Study Number:
Status: Solicitation withdrawn
Date Posted: Feb 19, 2007
Last Updated: Apr 03, 2008
Solicitation Expires: Feb 19, 2008
Partners: CT, FHWA, FL, OH, VA
Lead Organization: Virginia Department of Transportation
Financial Summary
Suggested Contribution:
Commitment Start Year: 2007
Commitment End Year: 2010
100% SP&R Approval: Pending Approval
Commitments Required: $600,000.00
Commitments Received: $280,000.00
Estimated Duration Month: 36
Waiver Requested: No
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Steve Lane
Stephen.Lane@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2007 $10,000.00 John Henault James Sime 860-258-0309 james.sime@ct.gov
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2008 $10,000.00 John Henault James Sime 860-258-0309 james.sime@ct.gov
Federal Highway Administration 2007 $20,000.00 Benjamin Graybeal Nazhat Aboobaker nazhat.aboobaker@fhwa.dot.gov
Federal Highway Administration 2008 $20,000.00 Benjamin Graybeal Nazhat Aboobaker nazhat.aboobaker@fhwa.dot.gov
Federal Highway Administration 2009 $40,000.00 Benjamin Graybeal Nazhat Aboobaker nazhat.aboobaker@fhwa.dot.gov
Florida Department of Transportation 2008 $20,000.00 Charles Ishee Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department of Transportation 2009 $20,000.00 Charles Ishee Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department of Transportation 2010 $20,000.00 Charles Ishee Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Ohio Department of Transportation 2007 $20,000.00 Bryan Struble General Research 614-644-8135 Research@dot.state.oh.us
Ohio Department of Transportation 2008 $20,000.00 Bryan Struble General Research 614-644-8135 Research@dot.state.oh.us
Ohio Department of Transportation 2009 $20,000.00 Bryan Struble General Research 614-644-8135 Research@dot.state.oh.us
Virginia Department of Transportation 2008 $20,000.00 Steve Lane Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2009 $20,000.00 Steve Lane Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2010 $20,000.00 Steve Lane Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov

Background

In numerous laboratory and a few large scale field studies, the use of pre-wetted lightweight aggregates (LWA) in mortars and concretes has been shown to provide internal curing to the cementitious materials (see http://ciks.cbt.nist.gov/~bentz/phpct/database/ic.html for a listing of relevant papers and reports). Experimental measurements have indicated a substantial reduction (or even complete elimination) of autogenous shrinkage, the maintenance of a higher internal relative humidity throughout curing, and an increase in later age hydration and compressive strengths, particularly under sealed curing conditions. Reductions in autegenous shrinkage and maintenance of internal relative humidity should result in a substantial reduction in early-age cracking. Higher internal humidity also promotes more complete hydration of the cementitious materials thus leading to a more efficient use of these components and the potential for reduction in the cementitious content of the concrete. These improvements have been quantitatively demonstrated for mortars and concretes based both on ordinary portland cements and on blended cements (containing slag, silica fume, or fly ash). Furthermore, three-dimensional x-ray microtomography studies have conclusively indicated the movement of internal water from the LWA to the surrounding hydrating cement paste during the first hours and days of curing. In addition, there may be further benefits of utilizing internal curing using pre-wetted LWA, such as the production of a concrete with greater slump retention (workability) and a more robust air void system, the latter due to the pores in the emptied LWAs functioning as physical air voids in addition to any entrapped and entrained air normally present in or proportioned into the concrete.

Objectives

1. Demonstrate the performance benefits of internal curing provided by pre-wetted lightweight aggregates to concrete used in transportation structures. 2. Investigate additional potential benefits such as slump retention and increased freeze-thaw durability. 3. Produce a Guide document that covers the characterization of lightweight aggregates for use as internal curing agents and the proportioning and production of concrete mixtures with such aggregates.

Scope of Work

The proposed study is planned for three phases. Phases 1 and 2 are laboratory studies to identify the characteristics of lightweight aggregates that are important in assessing and engineering their use as internal curing agents. In phase 2, a set of lightweight aggregates of differing characteristics will be used in developing concrete mixtures for varied applications. Phase 3 will demonstrate the technology through its application in field construction.

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Document Category Document Type Privacy Document Date Download
Internal Curing of Concrete Bridge Decks --- Demonstration of Early Age Crack Mitigation and Evaluation of Enhanced Freeze-Thaw Performance http://ciks.cbt.nist.gov/~bentz/ICBridgeDecks.doc TPF Study Documentation Solicitation Public 2011-09-25

Internal Curing of Concrete Bridge Decks --- Demonstration of Early Age Crack Mitigation and Evaluation of Enhanced Freeze-Thaw Performance

General Information
Solicitation Number: 1156
Status: Solicitation withdrawn
Date Posted: Feb 19, 2007
Last Updated: Apr 03, 2008
Solicitation Expires: Feb 19, 2008
Partners: CT, FHWA, FL, OH, VA
Lead Organization: Virginia Department of Transportation
Financial Summary
Suggested Contribution:
Commitment Start Year: 2007
Commitment End Year: 2010
100% SP&R Approval: Pending Approval
Commitments Required: $600,000.00
Commitments Received: $280,000.00
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Steve Lane
Stephen.Lane@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Commitments by Organizations
Agency Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2007 $10,000.00 John Henault James Sime 860-258-0309 james.sime@ct.gov
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2008 $10,000.00 John Henault James Sime 860-258-0309 james.sime@ct.gov
Federal Highway Administration 2007 $20,000.00 Benjamin Graybeal Nazhat Aboobaker nazhat.aboobaker@fhwa.dot.gov
Federal Highway Administration 2008 $20,000.00 Benjamin Graybeal Nazhat Aboobaker nazhat.aboobaker@fhwa.dot.gov
Federal Highway Administration 2009 $40,000.00 Benjamin Graybeal Nazhat Aboobaker nazhat.aboobaker@fhwa.dot.gov
Florida Department of Transportation 2008 $20,000.00 Charles Ishee Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department of Transportation 2009 $20,000.00 Charles Ishee Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department of Transportation 2010 $20,000.00 Charles Ishee Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Ohio Department of Transportation 2007 $20,000.00 Bryan Struble General Research 614-644-8135 Research@dot.state.oh.us
Ohio Department of Transportation 2008 $20,000.00 Bryan Struble General Research 614-644-8135 Research@dot.state.oh.us
Ohio Department of Transportation 2009 $20,000.00 Bryan Struble General Research 614-644-8135 Research@dot.state.oh.us
Virginia Department of Transportation 2008 $20,000.00 Steve Lane Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2009 $20,000.00 Steve Lane Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2010 $20,000.00 Steve Lane Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov

Background

In numerous laboratory and a few large scale field studies, the use of pre-wetted lightweight aggregates (LWA) in mortars and concretes has been shown to provide internal curing to the cementitious materials (see http://ciks.cbt.nist.gov/~bentz/phpct/database/ic.html for a listing of relevant papers and reports). Experimental measurements have indicated a substantial reduction (or even complete elimination) of autogenous shrinkage, the maintenance of a higher internal relative humidity throughout curing, and an increase in later age hydration and compressive strengths, particularly under sealed curing conditions. Reductions in autegenous shrinkage and maintenance of internal relative humidity should result in a substantial reduction in early-age cracking. Higher internal humidity also promotes more complete hydration of the cementitious materials thus leading to a more efficient use of these components and the potential for reduction in the cementitious content of the concrete. These improvements have been quantitatively demonstrated for mortars and concretes based both on ordinary portland cements and on blended cements (containing slag, silica fume, or fly ash). Furthermore, three-dimensional x-ray microtomography studies have conclusively indicated the movement of internal water from the LWA to the surrounding hydrating cement paste during the first hours and days of curing. In addition, there may be further benefits of utilizing internal curing using pre-wetted LWA, such as the production of a concrete with greater slump retention (workability) and a more robust air void system, the latter due to the pores in the emptied LWAs functioning as physical air voids in addition to any entrapped and entrained air normally present in or proportioned into the concrete.

Objectives

1. Demonstrate the performance benefits of internal curing provided by pre-wetted lightweight aggregates to concrete used in transportation structures. 2. Investigate additional potential benefits such as slump retention and increased freeze-thaw durability. 3. Produce a Guide document that covers the characterization of lightweight aggregates for use as internal curing agents and the proportioning and production of concrete mixtures with such aggregates.

Scope of Work

The proposed study is planned for three phases. Phases 1 and 2 are laboratory studies to identify the characteristics of lightweight aggregates that are important in assessing and engineering their use as internal curing agents. In phase 2, a set of lightweight aggregates of differing characteristics will be used in developing concrete mixtures for varied applications. Phase 3 will demonstrate the technology through its application in field construction.

Title Type Private
Internal Curing of Concrete Bridge Decks --- Demonstration of Early Age Crack Mitigation and Evaluation of Enhanced Freeze-Thaw Performance TPF Study Documentation N

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