High-Performance Concrete Bridge Deck Initiative –Performance Based Specifications in Pennsylvania

This paper describes how the planned new construction of the Interstate 99 corridor through central Pennsylvania has created a test bed for implementing high-performance concrete (HPC) practices in Pennsylvania and the Northeast. Ongoing research has been underway in order to demonstrate the use of performance-based specification and proper construction practices in reducing the life-cycle cost of bridges. This paper reports the goals and progress of the research. To date, laboratory testing has been completed to assess the mechanical and durability characteristics for a suite of potential HPC mixtures that will be used to construct 10 new bridges decks. The instrumentation plan and the results of the detailed permeability, porosity and resistivity testing of the 10 mixture designs are presented for the laboratory testing. The durability-enhanced mixtures represent multiple options for bridge decks.