UHPC as maintenance and repair material for enhanced durability of transport infrastructures

Purpose and goal

The present project proposes the use ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) for repair and strengthening of damaged concrete structures, as a long term durable alternative to conventional repair methods.The project will study the possibility to use UHPC to cast ´mantels´ around damaged elements using regular formwork and conventional production techniques. The aim is that no additional reinforcement is installed (except replacement of severely corroded rebars) and to utilize the very high tensile strength of fiber reinforced UHPC.

Expected results and effects

The technology developed in this project will enable contractors to repair severely deteriorated concrete elements using simple and proven concrete production technology. Such solution will be durable, cost effective and environmentally sustainable, contributing to the extension of the service life of transportation infrastructures and preventing frequent and expensive maintenance works. Rapid strength development and no additional steps such as vibration, heat treatment or surface finish will enable fast repairs thus minimizing traffic constrains and associated costs.

Planned approach and implementation

The compatibility and the long-term durability of the UHPC will be studied in detail using experimental methods. The experimental work will be complemented by analytical and numerical modelling, in order to provide simplified design tools for application. Assessment methods, such as LCA and LCC, market analysis and dissemination and exploitation of results, will be applied to evaluate the environmental impact, the cost efficiency as well as to maximize the project´s impact towards industry and speed market implementation of the newly developed method.