“STRUCTURAL UHPFRC” TO ENHANCE BRIDGES

“Structural UHPFRC” stands for Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composite material that is complemented by reinforcing and prestressing steel to enhance the resistance and durability of structural elements. Properties of impermeable, tensile strain hardening UHPFRC are outlined in view of structural applications. Two fundamental concepts to enhance concrete bridges have been developed by research and validated by applications in Switzerland: 1) Rehabilitation and strengthening of existing concrete structures by adding a layer of structural UHPFRC, and 2) Construction of new structures in Structural UHPFRC, often composed of precast elements. These applications show that Structural UHPFRC has made its proof as a novel building material and technology to enhance bridges and structures in general. Structural UHPFRC is the advent of a new construction era.