Great Thickness Requires Great Lengths
As bridge elements expand, so do special “mass concrete” practices.
An unfortunate side effect of the use of larger structural elements and concretes with high cement contents is the increased likelihood of high internal temperatures and thermal cracking. Both are of equal concern. High internal temperatures can decrease the long-term durability and the ultimate strength of the concrete. Thermal cracking “short-circuits” the benefits of low-permeability concrete and the increased depth of cover by providing a direct path for corrosive agents to easily reach the reinforcing steel. To deal with both issues, an increasing number of concrete bridge elements are being designated as “mass concrete.”
John Gajda, Principal Engineer in Building Science & Sustainability at CTLGroup, authored this January 2005 Roads & Bridges article.
Source: Roads & Bridges
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