State-of-the-art and practice review and recommended testing protocol: self-consolidating concrete for prestressed bridge girders

Abstract

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is a highly flowable, non-segregating concrete. Relevant technology and applications have steadily grown in various construction fields in the United States. Several State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) have performed significant research on SCC for prestressed bridge girders, resulting in their own guidelines. The objective of this study is to summarise the current state-of-the art and practice of technical documentation and specifications related to material properties for prestressed SCC bridge girders. To seek more practical information, a cursory survey among SCC experts at each DOT was performed and summarised herein. Key findings indicate that testing for the examination of fresh and hardened SCC properties are necessary for prestressed bridge girder applications. It is important to determine constituent proportions of the mixture and need of admixtures, as well as to require higher early compressive strengths required for prestressed SCC bridge girders. Based on the literature review and survey, a material property testing protocol to efficiently investigate SCC mix performance for prestressed bridge girders is recommended.

Keywords:

• self-consolidating concrete
• prestressed bridge girders
• fresh and hardened properties
• literature review
• survey
• testing protocol

Acknowledgements

The contents of this paper reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation or the Wisconsin Highway Research Program. This paper was not sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation or the Wisconsin Highway Research Program. This paper does not constitute a standard, specification or regulation. The authors particularly thank Rita Lederle from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for her invaluable comments and support for this work.