OPTIMUM USE OF HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE IN PRESTRESSED CONCRETE SUPER-T BRIDGE BEAMS

The paper studied the use of high performance concrete in precast, prestressed concrete super-T highway bridge beams. A parametric study was undertaken to investigate the structural and economic aspects of using high performance concrete. It was found that high performance concrete does offer some savings when used in beams with geometry consistent with that currently used in practice. High performance concrete may also offer indirect cost savings because it permits a reduction in the weight of beams. It was also found that high performance concrete may permit the use of beams with shallower sections and reduce overall deflections.