Development of Innovative Short-Span Bridge System Using UHPC Formworks

The superior mechanical properties of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) such as high compressive and tensile strength has allowed its application for innovative bridge systems. High early strength gain and durability of UHPC makes it a viable choice for Accelerated Bridge Construction application. Recent studies have shown feasibility of UHPC as stay-in-place formwork for different bridge elements. In this research, an innovative structural system using stay-in-place UHPC formwork is proposed for short-span bridge super-structure and an experiment is designed to investigate its structural performance. In this approach, UHPC is prefabricated into an efficient formwork for both construction and structural performance. These forms consist of a series of semi-circular sections spanning longitudinally between the supports. After these prefabricated modules are positioned, reinforcement cage is placed inside, and they are filled and topped with normal concrete. The UHPC layer provides durability and protection for the cast-in-place concrete while improving the structural performance. The research objectives are to the use of for these elements, assessing the feasibility of construction, structural performance of the composite section. A parametric finite element