Engineered cementitious composite (ECC) material is a high strength, fiber-reinforced, ductile mortar mixture that can exhibit tensile strains of up to 5%. ECC has a dense matrix, giving the material exceptional durability characteristics. The durability and mechanical properties of ECC make it a desirable, though expensive, construction material. This study presents an extensive evaluation of modified engineered cementitious composite (MECC) using locally sourced raw materials for use as a bridge deck overlay material. MECC is a mixture of cement, fly ash, water, concrete sand, and poly-vinyl alcohol fibers. The concrete sand used in this study was used in lieu of the typically used silica sand to reduce the high material cost for ECC. Three different representative aggregates from throughout Nevada were selected to understand how the local aggregates would perform in MECC mixes. In total, eighteen different laboratory mixes of MECC were evaluated using multiple performance and mechanical tests. After the completion of the laboratory phase, two different field trials were conducted to determine the feasibility of batching large amounts of MECC at commercial concrete batch plants.

Engineered cementitious composite (ECC) material is a high-strength, fiber-reinforced, ductile mortar mixture that can exhibit tensile strains of up to 5%. The durability and mechanical properties of ECC make it a desirable construction material. This study presents an extensive evaluation of modified engineered cementitious composite (MECC) using locally sourced raw materials for use as a bridge-deck-overlay material. MECC is a mixture of cement, fly ash, water, concrete sand, and poly-vinyl alcohol fibers. The concrete sand used in this study was used in lieu of the typically used silica sand to reduce the high material cost, which makes MECC a modified ECC mix. Currently, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) uses a polymer concrete for bridge-deck-overlays in Nevada. While NDOT has had good performance with the polymer concrete overlays, the polymer concrete material is an expensive proprietary material. NDOT believes that MECC may be a viable alternative to the polymer concrete as a bridge-deck-overlay material. In this study, three different representative aggregates from throughout Nevada were selected to understand how the local aggregates would perform in MECC mixes. In total, eighteen different MECC mixes were evaluated using a total of thirteen different tests to determine the fresh and hardened properties of the MECC material. These tests included compressive strength, freeze-thaw durability, resistance to chloride ion penetration, and drying shrinkage. Additionally, a uniaxial tensile test was developed to test the tensile strengths and tensile strains of these different MECC mixes. In addition to evaluating MECC, samples of the polymer concrete and of a traditional Portland cement concrete mix were also tested. These results were used to determine how the performance of the MECC material compares with polymer concrete and traditional concrete. The laboratory test results were then analyzed using several different statistical analyses. First, all of the MECC mixes were compared with each other, and the polymer concrete and traditional concrete mixes. This showed how many mixes had statistically significantly higher/lower performance that both the polymer concrete and traditional concrete. Second, linear regressions were used to determine the standardized regression coefficients (or beta coefficients) which were used to determine which variables (mix proportions, aggregate source, fiber type) influenced the MECC's properties. Third, additional MECC mixes were batched to determine which aggregate properties would influence the MECC's properties. From this analysis, several predictive models were developed to predict the properties of an MECC mix that used a specific fine aggregate stockpile. After the completion of the laboratory phase, three different field trials were conducted to determine the feasibility of batching large amounts of MECC at commercial concrete batch plants. In these trials, approximately 6 cubic yards of MECC was mixed using different plant configurations to determine if any special measures would be needed to mix MECC on a large-scale. Additionally, a trial slab of MECC was placed at each of these field trials to determine how easy the MECC material would be to place, consolidate, and finish. The findings of this study are that MECC has many desirable qualities of a bridge-deck-overlay material. MECC has higher compressive strengths, higher tensile strengths and strains, high resistance to chloride ion penetration, and higher abrasion resistance than traditional concrete. Additionally, MECC has similar performance to the polymer concrete, meaning there is not a significant drop in performance between the materials. The large-scale trial batches showed that MECC could be mixed on a large-scale without any special measures. While MECC is harder to place than traditional concrete, it is not expected to require any specialty equipment for placement. The findings of this study were used to draft a specification for NDOT for the use of MECC as a bridge-deck-overlay material. This specification will be used in an upcoming field project by NDOT where a bridge-deck-overlay measuring approximately 28 feet by 140 feet by 4 inches thick will be placed in the spring of 2016 in Northern Nevada.

Advances in Engineered Cementitious Composite: Materials, Structures and Numerical Modelling focuses on recent research developments in high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites, covering three key aspects, i.e., materials, structures and numerical modeling. Sections discuss the development of materials to achieve high-performance by using different type of fibers, including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene (PE) polypropylene (PP) and hybrid fibers. Other chapters look at experimental studies on the application of high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites on structures and the performance of structural components, including beams, slabs and columns, and recent development of numerical methods and modeling techniques for modeling material properties and structural behavior. This book will be an essential reference resource for materials scientists, civil and structural engineers and all those working in the field of high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites and structures. Features up-to-date research on [HPFRCC], from materials development to structural application Includes recent experimental studies and advanced numerical modeling analysis Covers methods for modeling material properties and structural performance Explains how different types of fibers can affect structural performance

Eco-efficient Repair and Rehabilitation of Concrete Infrastructures, Second Edition provides an updated state-of-the-art review on the latest advances in this important research field. The first section is brought fully up-to-date and focuses on deterioration assessment methods. Section two contains brand new chapters on innovative concrete repair and rehabilitation materials including: fly ash-based alkali-activated repair materials for concrete exposed to aggressive environments; repairing concrete structures with alkali-activated metakaolin mortars; concrete with micro encapsulated self-healing materials; concrete repaired with bacteria; concrete structures repaired with engineered cementitious composites; concrete repaired by electrodeposition; the assessment of concrete after repair operations and durability of concrete repair. The final section has also been amended to include six new chapters on design, Life-cycle cost analysis and life-cycle assessment. These chapters include maintenance strategies for concrete structures; a comparison of different repair methods; life cycle assessment of the effects of climate change on bridge deterioration; life-cycle-cost benefits of cathodic protection of concrete structures; life-cycle cost analyses for concrete bridges exposed to chlorides and life-cycle analysis of repair of concrete pavements. The book will be an essential reference resource for materials scientists, civil and structural engineers, architects, structural designers and contractors working in the construction industry. Covers the latest research findings on eco-efficient repair and rehabilitation of concrete infrastructures Provides comprehensive coverage from damage detection and assessment, to repair strategies and structural health monitoring Presents a diverse author base that offers insights on construction practice and employed technologies worldwide Includes an entire section on NDT, innovative repair, and rehabilitation materials, as well as case studies on lifecycle cost analysis and lifecycle assessment

Advanced composite materials for bridge structures are recognized as a promising alternative to conventional construction materials such as steel. After an introductory overview and an assessment of the characteristics of bonds between composites and quasi-brittle structures, Advanced Composites in Bridge Construction and Repair reviews the use of advanced composites in the design and construction of bridges, including damage identification and the use of large rupture strain fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. The second part of the book presents key applications of FRP composites in bridge construction and repair, including the use of all-composite superstructures for accelerated bridge construction, engineered cementitious composites for bridge decks, carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites for cable-stayed bridges and for repair of deteriorated bridge substructures, and finally the use of FRP composites in the sustainable replacement of ageing bridge superstructures. Advanced Composites in Bridge Construction and Repair is a technical guide for engineering professionals requiring an understanding of the use of composite materials in bridge construction. Reviews key applications of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in bridge construction and repair Summarizes key recent research in the suitability of advanced composite materials for bridge structures as an alternative to conventional construction materials