Structures

Cost and Ecological Feasibility of Using UHPC in Bridge Piers

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Abstract

There is a growing interest in expanding the use of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) from highway bridge deck joints for accelerated bridge construction to architectural facades cast in unique and slender profiles. The high costs associated with the proprietary UHPC mixes, besides the environmental concerns resulting from its high cement content and massive energy consumption during its production, might limit the widespread use of UHPC in the built environment. On the other hand, the higher strength and durability of UHPC should result in more compact cross-sections, safer structures, and a longer service life compared to conventional concrete. This study investigates several UHPC mix designs to design a multi-column bridge pier and analyze its cost and ecological feasibility. The objective is to identify what would be the optimal UHPC mix from an economic and eco-friendly perspective. Ultimately, the study lays the foundation for future work to find the break-even costs of UHPC at which it would become economically and environmentally feasible to design substantial bridge substructures entirely with UHPC in lieu of regular concrete.

Keywords: UHPC, bridge piers, cost study, environmental impact

How to Cite:

Joe, C. D. & Moustafa, M., (2016) “Cost and Ecological Feasibility of Using UHPC in Bridge Piers”, International Interactive Symposium on Ultra-High Performance Concrete 1(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.21838/uhpc.2016.103