High-Performance Concrete Bridges in Washington State

The durability of concrete is considered the most important factor determining the service life of bridge structures. High performance concrete with low permeability and superior mechanical properties is known to improve the durability of concrete and to extend the service life of bridge structures. Since the advent of the high performance concrete Lead States program in the early 1990’s, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is comfortably using high performance concrete as the preferred material in every day prestressed girders and cast-in-place deck slabs. The current use of high performance concrete in prestressed girders results in structurally efficient bridges and greater economy, while improving durability, resistance to cracking, and decreasing the effect f volume changes (due to shrinkage and creep of concrete on prestress losses and camber). HPC is capable of resisting chloride diffusion and other environmental distress that can cause significant deteroriation, and costly repairs in bridge decks. High performance concretes’ improved mechanical properties make it more resistant to traffic wear, less prone to cracking during construction and under service loads. A comprehensive review of benefits of using high performance concrete in WSDOT prestressed girders, spliced-girders, and concrete deck slab is presented in this paper.