Durability is a driving force on the choice of materials in bridge construction.
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HPC at 0.395 w/cm with 15% Class F Fly Ash
Water-entrained cement-based materials: I. Principles and theoretical background. (Jensen, Hansen)
Improved Compressive Strength
54%15% Increase
Internal Curing 85%44 % Increase
Internal Curing 88%13% Increase
Internal Curing 100%12% Increase
Internal Curing
Because hydration occurs for a longer period of time due to an internal moisture source, internally cured concrete bridges continue to get stronger.
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This continued hydration also results in a reduction in permeability.
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Early shrinkage of concrete can be mitigated due to the presence of additional internal moisture, and by reducing shrinkage, internal curing enables unwanted cracking to be delayed or eliminated.
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Internal curing can increase the service life of high performance concrete (HPC) bridge decks by almost ten years, due to the absence of initial cracking.
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The use of HPC with internal curing in bridge decks can bring an additional economical benefit by delaying the times at which repairs and rehabilitation of the reinforced concrete deck are required.
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