High early strength concrete (HESC) is a high performance concrete that can achieve structural quality within 24 to 72 hours of being poured, making it ideal for locations where minimal traffic disruption is crucial. Washington and nine other states have successfully used calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) for bridge deck repair. CSA is a desirable option for HESC because of its ability to set within a short time window (as quickly as 15 minutes after placement) and to easily surpass a compressive strength of 3,000 psi in under three hours. However, while CSA has the potential to be successfully used for HESC bridge deck overlays, more data are needed to develop appropriate guidance and specifications for its use. The objective of this study is to develop an HESC mix design with CSA cement for bridge overlays. The researchers will identify the obstacles or impediments to successfully and reliably using HESC for bridge deck overlays and will develop standards, specifications, processes, and best practices for constructing HESC overlays in Washington. This will give WSDOT the means to reliably construct overlays to rehabilitate and protect bridges with lower construction costs and less travel disruption.
Principal Investigators:
Fred Aguayo, Construction Management, UW
Travis Thonstad, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UW
Sponsor: WSDOT
WSDOT Technical Monitor: Anthony Mizumori
WSDOT Project Manager: Mustafa Mohamedali
Scheduled completion: September 2025