Emerging Technologies in Civil Infrastructure-Want Low Cost, Sustainable, Longer Lasting Concrete Bridge Decks and Repairs Then Try Internal Curing (PDF)

Want Low Cost, Sustainable, Longer Lasting Concrete Bridge Decks and Repairs Then Try Internal Curing (PDF)

Pdf Summary

The session on Emerging Technologies in Civil Infrastructure, particularly focused on internally cured concrete, aimed at addressing issues related to premature cracking in concrete structures such as bridges. Highlighting a widespread problem, it was noted that cracking in concrete accelerates deterioration, increases maintenance costs, and shortens lifespan. Traditional practices often result in concrete prone to such cracking due to shrinkage, which includes thermal, drying, and chemical shrinkage. <br /><br />The session underscored how, over decades, methods such as shrinkage-reducing admixtures, internal curing, and pore size optimization have been developed to mitigate these issues. Specifically, internal curing (IC) was explored as a practical solution for reducing cracking. This involves replacing some sand with pre-wetted light-weight aggregates (LWA), allowing water to be stored internally and released as needed, ultimately supporting hydration and reducing shrinkage.<br /><br />Real-world applications and case studies demonstrated the efficacy of IC in varied geographic locations, such as improved bridge decks in New York, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, and large concrete slabs in Texas showing less cracking. The method was also applied in repair materials where IC significantly reduced shrinkage and improved strength. Notably, it was emphasized that for IC to be successful, proper aggregate selection and quality control in concrete production are crucial.<br /><br />IC has been shown to be a mature technology readily implementable, offering a low learning curve and numerous applications across infrastructure projects. The session encouraged practitioners to embrace this approach to improve the durability and longevity of concrete structures, supported by detailed industry resources and contacts provided for further technical guidance.

Keywords

internally cured concrete

premature cracking

shrinkage-reducing admixtures

internal curing

light-weight aggregates

concrete structures

bridge decks

hydration

aggregate selection

infrastructure projects