Application and Analysis of UHPC for Strengthening Different Components of Bridge Structure

Research Article
Open access

Application and Analysis of UHPC for Strengthening Different Components of Bridge Structure

Zinuo Xiao 1*
  • 1 International College of Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, China    
  • *corresponding author xiaozinuo2025@outlook.com
Published on 20 June 2025 | https://doi.org/10.54254/2755-2721/2025.24252
ACE Vol.168
ISSN (Print): 2755-273X
ISSN (Online): 2755-2721
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-205-8
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-206-5

Abstract

With the increasing traffic load, traditional concrete bridges gradually exhibit issues such as aging, cracking, and insufficient durability. Ultra-high Performance Concrete (UHPC), as a new type of cementitious composite material, has been widely applied in recent years in the construction of new bridges and the reinforcement and maintenance of aging bridges due to its excellent mechanical properties and durability. This paper first introduces the development of UHPC and its material characteristics. By studying relevant literatures and engineering cases, it provides an in-depth analysis of UHPC's specific applications in the reinforcement of bridge decks, main girders, and piers. The results show that UHPC can effectively prevent fatigue cracks in the bridge deck and girder and improve the structural bearing capacity due to its high strength and fatigue resistance. Additionally, the excellent impermeability of UHPC significantly improves the corrosion resistance of main girders and piers, thereby extending the service life of bridges. However, there are still some construction challenges in the practical application of UHPC. As construction technology advances and material costs decrease, UHPC is expected to have a broader application prospect in both bridge reinforcement and new construction projects.

Keywords:

UHPC, applications, bridge engineering, bridge reinforcement.

Xiao,Z. (2025). Application and Analysis of UHPC for Strengthening Different Components of Bridge Structure. Applied and Computational Engineering,168,78-86.
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References

[1]. Zhao, J. & Lin, P. (2023). Reliability Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Simply Supported Beams Strengthened with UHPC. Journal of China & Foreign Highway. (05), 72-77. doi: 10.14048/j.issn.1671-2579.2023.05.013.

[2]. Chen, B., Ji, T., Huang, Q., Wu, H., Ding, Q., & Chan, Y. (2014). Review of Research on Ultra-high Performance Concrete. Journal of Architecture and Civil Engineering. (03), 1-24.

[3]. Abdal, S., Mansour, W., Agwa, I., Nasr, M., Abadel, A., Onuralp Özkılıç, Y., & Akeed, M. H. (2023). Application of ultra-high-performance concrete in bridge engineering: Current status, limitations, challenges, and future prospects. Buildings, 13(1), 185.

[4]. Amran, M., Huang, S. S., Onaizi, A. M., Makul, N., Abdelgader, H. S., & Ozbakkaloglu, T. (2022). Recent trends in ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC): Current status, challenges, and future prospects. Construction and Building Materials, 352, 129029.

[5]. Azmee, N. M., & Shafiq, N. (2018). Ultra-high performance concrete: From fundamental to applications. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 9, e00197.

[6]. Dingqiang, F., Wenjing, T., Dandian, F., Jiahao, C., Rui, Y., & Kaiquan, Z. (2018, November). Development and applications of ultra-high performance concrete in bridge engineering. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 189, No. 2, p. 022038). IOP Publishing.

[7]. Voo, Y. L., Hafezolghorani, M., & Foster, S. (2018). Application of ultra-highperformance-fiber reinforced concrete technology for present and future. In Proceedings of UHPC2018-China, The 2nd International Conference on UHPC Materials and Structures.

[8]. Ma, B., Chen, X., Ding, Z., Chen, L., & Li, b. (2021). Application of Ultra High Performance Concrete in Bridge Engineering. Application of Ultra High Performance Concrete in Bridge Engineering. (06), 139-141. doi: 10.16584/j.cnki.issn1671-5381.2021.06.045.

[9]. Abbas, S. M. L. N., Nehdi, M. L., & Saleem, M. A. (2016). Ultra-high performance concrete: Mechanical performance, durability, sustainability and implementation challenges. International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials, 10, 271-295.

[10]. Chen, J. (2024). Advances in the mechanical properties of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). Sci Sin-Phys Mech Astron. 54 (05), 254609. doi: 10.1360/SSPMA-2023-0283

[11]. Gunes, O., Yesilmen, S., Gunes, B., & Ulm, F. J. (2012). Use of UHPC in bridge structures: material modeling and design. Advances in materials science and engineering. (1), 319285.

[12]. Gao, X. & Li, L. (2022). Review on the development of UHPC in bridge engineering. Sichuan Building Materials (07), 114-115+118.

[13]. Wang, Y., Shao, X., Chen, J., Cao, J., & Wang, L. (2020). UHPC-based strengthening technique for significant fatigue cracking steel bridge decks. China Civil Engineering Journal. (11),92-101+115.doi: 10.15951/j.tmgcxb.2020.11.010.

[14]. Fehling, E., & Thiemicke, J. (2023, June). Potential of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) for Refurbishment of Bridges. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 1195, No. 1, p. 012003). IOP Publishing.

[15]. Shao, X. (2015). Steel-ultra-high performance concrete lightweight composite bridge structure. China Communications Press Co., Ltd.

[16]. Kodsy, A. M. (2022). Repair and strengthening of concrete bridges using ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Nebraska-Lincoln).

[17]. Brühwiler, E. (2016, July). “Structural UHPFRC”: Welcome to the post-concrete era! In International interactive symposium on ultra-high performance concrete (Vol. 1, No. 1). Iowa State University Digital Press.

[18]. Zmetra, K. M., McMullen, K. F., Zaghi, A. E., & Wille, K. (2017). Experimental study of UHPC repair for corrosion-damaged steel girder ends. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 22(8), 04017037.

[19]. Li, W. (2023). Application of Super Performance Concrete Materials in Bridge Engineering. Synthetic Materials Aging and Application. (01), 147-149. doi: 10.16584/j.cnki.issn1671-5381.2023.01.050.

[20]. Lukić, B., & Forquin, P. (2016). Experimental characterization of the punch through shear strength of an ultra-high performance concrete. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 91, 34-45.

[21]. Sun, H., Zhou, J., Xu, A., Zhou, Y., & Yang, J. (2020). Research progress of UHPC reinforcement technology in bridge engineering. Concrete. (01), 136-143.

[22]. Graybeal, B. A. (2008). Flexural behavior of an ultrahigh-performance concrete I-girder. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 13(6), 602-610.

[23]. Zmetra, K. M., McMullen, K. F., Zaghi, A. E., & Wille, K. (2017). Experimental study of UHPC repair for corrosion-damaged steel girder ends. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 22(8), 04017037.

[24]. He, X., Xiang, Y., & Xing, C. (2013). Disease Analysis and Reinforcement of Concrete Bridge Substructure. Journal of Chongqing Jiaotong University (Natural Science). (S1), 807-811+822.

[25]. Zhao, X., Li, Q., & Xu, S. (2020). Contribution of steel fiber on the dynamic tensile properties of hybrid fiber ultra high toughness cementitious composites using Brazilian test. Construction and Building Materials, 246, 118416.

[26]. Kennedy, D., Habel, K., & Fraser, G. (2015). Ultra high-performance concrete column jacket retrofit for the mission bridge. In 11th Canadian conference on earthquake engineering.

[27]. Habert, G., Billard, C., Rossi, P., Chen, C., & Roussel, N. (2010). Cement production technology improvement compared to factor 4 objectives. Cement and Concrete Research, 40(5), 820-826.

Cite this article

Xiao,Z. (2025). Application and Analysis of UHPC for Strengthening Different Components of Bridge Structure. Applied and Computational Engineering,168,78-86.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Materials Chemistry and Environmental Engineering

ISBN：978-1-80590-205-8(Print) / 978-1-80590-206-5(Online)
Editor：Harun CELIK
Conference website: https://2025.confmcee.org/
Conference date: 17 January 2025
Series: Applied and Computational Engineering
Volume number: Vol.168
ISSN：2755-2721(Print) / 2755-273X(Online)

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References

[1]. Zhao, J. & Lin, P. (2023). Reliability Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Simply Supported Beams Strengthened with UHPC. Journal of China & Foreign Highway. (05), 72-77. doi: 10.14048/j.issn.1671-2579.2023.05.013.

[2]. Chen, B., Ji, T., Huang, Q., Wu, H., Ding, Q., & Chan, Y. (2014). Review of Research on Ultra-high Performance Concrete. Journal of Architecture and Civil Engineering. (03), 1-24.

[3]. Abdal, S., Mansour, W., Agwa, I., Nasr, M., Abadel, A., Onuralp Özkılıç, Y., & Akeed, M. H. (2023). Application of ultra-high-performance concrete in bridge engineering: Current status, limitations, challenges, and future prospects. Buildings, 13(1), 185.

[4]. Amran, M., Huang, S. S., Onaizi, A. M., Makul, N., Abdelgader, H. S., & Ozbakkaloglu, T. (2022). Recent trends in ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC): Current status, challenges, and future prospects. Construction and Building Materials, 352, 129029.

[5]. Azmee, N. M., & Shafiq, N. (2018). Ultra-high performance concrete: From fundamental to applications. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 9, e00197.

[6]. Dingqiang, F., Wenjing, T., Dandian, F., Jiahao, C., Rui, Y., & Kaiquan, Z. (2018, November). Development and applications of ultra-high performance concrete in bridge engineering. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 189, No. 2, p. 022038). IOP Publishing.

[7]. Voo, Y. L., Hafezolghorani, M., & Foster, S. (2018). Application of ultra-highperformance-fiber reinforced concrete technology for present and future. In Proceedings of UHPC2018-China, The 2nd International Conference on UHPC Materials and Structures.

[8]. Ma, B., Chen, X., Ding, Z., Chen, L., & Li, b. (2021). Application of Ultra High Performance Concrete in Bridge Engineering. Application of Ultra High Performance Concrete in Bridge Engineering. (06), 139-141. doi: 10.16584/j.cnki.issn1671-5381.2021.06.045.

[9]. Abbas, S. M. L. N., Nehdi, M. L., & Saleem, M. A. (2016). Ultra-high performance concrete: Mechanical performance, durability, sustainability and implementation challenges. International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials, 10, 271-295.

[10]. Chen, J. (2024). Advances in the mechanical properties of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). Sci Sin-Phys Mech Astron. 54 (05), 254609. doi: 10.1360/SSPMA-2023-0283

[11]. Gunes, O., Yesilmen, S., Gunes, B., & Ulm, F. J. (2012). Use of UHPC in bridge structures: material modeling and design. Advances in materials science and engineering. (1), 319285.

[12]. Gao, X. & Li, L. (2022). Review on the development of UHPC in bridge engineering. Sichuan Building Materials (07), 114-115+118.

[13]. Wang, Y., Shao, X., Chen, J., Cao, J., & Wang, L. (2020). UHPC-based strengthening technique for significant fatigue cracking steel bridge decks. China Civil Engineering Journal. (11),92-101+115.doi: 10.15951/j.tmgcxb.2020.11.010.

[14]. Fehling, E., & Thiemicke, J. (2023, June). Potential of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) for Refurbishment of Bridges. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 1195, No. 1, p. 012003). IOP Publishing.

[15]. Shao, X. (2015). Steel-ultra-high performance concrete lightweight composite bridge structure. China Communications Press Co., Ltd.

[16]. Kodsy, A. M. (2022). Repair and strengthening of concrete bridges using ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Nebraska-Lincoln).

[17]. Brühwiler, E. (2016, July). “Structural UHPFRC”: Welcome to the post-concrete era! In International interactive symposium on ultra-high performance concrete (Vol. 1, No. 1). Iowa State University Digital Press.

[18]. Zmetra, K. M., McMullen, K. F., Zaghi, A. E., & Wille, K. (2017). Experimental study of UHPC repair for corrosion-damaged steel girder ends. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 22(8), 04017037.

[19]. Li, W. (2023). Application of Super Performance Concrete Materials in Bridge Engineering. Synthetic Materials Aging and Application. (01), 147-149. doi: 10.16584/j.cnki.issn1671-5381.2023.01.050.

[20]. Lukić, B., & Forquin, P. (2016). Experimental characterization of the punch through shear strength of an ultra-high performance concrete. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 91, 34-45.

[21]. Sun, H., Zhou, J., Xu, A., Zhou, Y., & Yang, J. (2020). Research progress of UHPC reinforcement technology in bridge engineering. Concrete. (01), 136-143.

[22]. Graybeal, B. A. (2008). Flexural behavior of an ultrahigh-performance concrete I-girder. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 13(6), 602-610.

[23]. Zmetra, K. M., McMullen, K. F., Zaghi, A. E., & Wille, K. (2017). Experimental study of UHPC repair for corrosion-damaged steel girder ends. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 22(8), 04017037.

[24]. He, X., Xiang, Y., & Xing, C. (2013). Disease Analysis and Reinforcement of Concrete Bridge Substructure. Journal of Chongqing Jiaotong University (Natural Science). (S1), 807-811+822.

[25]. Zhao, X., Li, Q., & Xu, S. (2020). Contribution of steel fiber on the dynamic tensile properties of hybrid fiber ultra high toughness cementitious composites using Brazilian test. Construction and Building Materials, 246, 118416.

[26]. Kennedy, D., Habel, K., & Fraser, G. (2015). Ultra high-performance concrete column jacket retrofit for the mission bridge. In 11th Canadian conference on earthquake engineering.

[27]. Habert, G., Billard, C., Rossi, P., Chen, C., & Roussel, N. (2010). Cement production technology improvement compared to factor 4 objectives. Cement and Concrete Research, 40(5), 820-826.

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