UHPFRC Technology to enhance the performance of existing concrete bridges

"UHPFRC" stands for Ultra-High Performance Fibre Reinforced Cementitious Composite materials. UHPFRC - complemented with steel reinforcing bars - serves as an external reinforcement increasing the ultimate flexural and shear resistances as well as the fatigue resistance and stiffness of the RC members, thus strengthening for higher live loads. UHPFRC is waterproof and crack-free under service conditions and thus improves the durability. The concept of the UHPFRC Technology consists in adding a thin layer of UHPFRC to an existing member in reinforced concrete (RC) in order to enhance its structural resistance and durability. The UHPFRC Technology is applied in Switzerland for more than 10 years. Basic principles are presented and the characteristics of the UHPFRC Technology are highlighted by two applications to enhance the performance of two large existing highway bridges.