Applications for Steelike® UHPC
Steelike® UHPC
Innovation with Endless Applications
Applications Using Steelike® UHPC
Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC)
Accelerated Bridge Construction uses prefabricated bridge components to replace and repair existing bridges in a more cost-effective and safer manner. UHPC is ideal for the field-cast connections used in the ABC method.
Bridge Decks
The use of precast bridge decks made from UHPC allow for critical bridge components to be replaced quickly. This reduces the disruption to traffic and keeps on-site construction to a minimum.
Tunnels
UHPC has been recommended for use in tunnels due to its fire resistance and strength, qualities that are extremely important for such structures.
Wind Turbine Towers
Wind power is a growing energy source. UHPC components allow for the creation of taller wind turbine towers. This increases output of towers, generating more renewable energy.
Additional structures that benefit from the use of UHPC
These include: precast girders, precast waffle panels for bridge decks, field-cast closure pours for prefabricated bridge elements (joint fills), precast concrete piles, seismic retrofits of bridges, thin-bonded overlays of bridge decks, security and blast mitigation application.
Bridge Girders
Bridge girders are a main structural component used to support bridge deck and traffic loads for short- and medium-span bridges. UHPC is ideal for its strength and durability.
Highway Infrastructure
UHPC is the answer to concerns about highway infrastructure deterioration, repair and replacement. The remarkable durability of UHPC, supported in part by its resistance to freeze/thaw conditions and its resistance to water ingress, translates to significantly lower costs over time.
Seismic Columns
The strength and durability of UHPC make it ideal for use in seismic columns for bridges. This is an innovative way to design earthquake-resistant bridge columns.
Security and Blast Mitigation
The compressive strength and tensile resistance of UHPC have led to its use for security and blast mitigation for critical infrastructure. Studies have shown that UHPC concrete slabs demonstrate improved damage tolerance.
When your project specifications call for UHPC, call Steelike, Inc.
We are happy to support your project with our industry experts. Download our printable product applications information sheet.
Advanced Technology in UHPC
Steelike® UHPC Brings Value in Longer Lasting and Resilient Infrastructure
Field-cast UHPC connections for bridge application are a targeted way to extend bridge life and accelerate construction. It allows for precasting of components in conventional concrete, in controlled facilities that results in higher quality and durability. The field-cast UHPC connects are stronger and more durable the panels, maximizing the durability potential of the precast components and resulting in a longer life compared to conventional cast-in-place concrete structures. Steelike UHPC offers all the benefits of other UHPC products but with innovative placement techniques that reduce labor and costs, such as by eliminating the need to overfill and grind deck-level UHPC connections.
Precast UHPC components can increase the durability and lifespan of structures even more, with the added advantage of less weight, which will result in savings in shipping costs and foundation construction, helping to offset the higher material cost of UHPC. Steelike UHPC is backed by decades of research and development. As its name suggests, Steelike UHPC provides the strength of steel but in a flowable cementitious composite material.
UHPC Brings Value in Longer Lasting & Resilient Infrastructure
When viewed only by the material cost, ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) appears to be very expensive compared to conventional concrete. However, this short-sighted assessment misses the significant value that UHPC offers.
UHPC has many advantages over conventional concrete, including significantly better performance in terms of strength, ductility, flexibility and toughness, impact resistance, dimensional stability, durability / increased useful life, impermeability / freeze-thaw resistance, corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance, aggressive environment resistance and chemical resistance.
In addition to its mechanical and durability advantages over conventional concrete, UHPC is highly flowable material with an extremely small particle size. This enables it to be fabricated in very thin sections and in complex shapes.
Other UHPC advantages include the potential elimination of passive reinforcement (reinforcement bars), precise replication, use of conventional concrete equipment, ability to cast by pouring, injection or extrusion techniques, self-consolidation, off-site manufacturing, fast construction and reduced maintenance.
UHPC has a strong potential to help revitalize the nation’s existing infrastructure, and help build new infrastructure that is sustainable, resilient and longer lasting.
UHPC provides the strong potential to help the revitalization of the US infrastructure, as well as building a new infrastructure that is sustainable, resilient and longer lasting.
[reference source: US Homeland Security, Science and Technology Report, 2011.]
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Image: Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge – Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA)