REVIEW OF CLASS-E CONCRETE BRIDGE DECKS IN SOUTH CAROLINA - PHASE II

The objectives of this work include evaluating the high performance concrete (HPC) used in South Carolina (Class E) for bridge deck concrete in accordance with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) HPC Performance Grade Criteria. A class comparison study is performed to compare South Carolina's Class D concrete, currently used for bridge construction, to the Class E concrete with respect to chloride permeability, compressive strength and modulus of elasticity. Finally, a time study of all concrete tested is presented with respect to chloride permeability, compressive strength and modulus of elasticity. The research conducted indicates that the Class E concrete performed well according to the FHWA HPC Performance Grade Criteria. The exception to the very good performance of Class E is the modulus of elasticity, which yielded values lower than the values included in the criteria. The results from the class comparison study indicate that the Class E and Class D concrete have very similar values for compressive strength and modulus of elasticity and extensive differences in chloride permeability. The compressive strength and modulus of elasticity values increase with time and then begin to level off. Also, a relationship between compressive strength and chloride permeability was found.