Application of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete in Bridge Engineering: Current Status, Limitations, Challenges, and Future Prospects

Abstract

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is a form of cementitious composite that has been the most innovative product in concrete technology over the last three decades. Ultra-high-performance concrete has been broadly employed for the design of numerous forms of construction owing to its excellent mechanical characteristics and durability, and studies on its behavior have grown fast in the last decades. While the utilization of ultra-high-performance concrete in bridge engineering (BE) is limited owing to its high costs, little is recognized about the utilization of UHPC in various BE elements. As a result of these issues, a comprehensive review of the current UHPC development trends should be conducted to determine its present state and perspective. This study presents a review of the state-of-the-art UHPC applications in BE. This review also discusses the current status, limitations, challenges, and areas for the further investigation of UHPC in BE. The aim of this research to help various construction stakeholders understand the distinctive characteristics, benefits, and barriers to the broad utilization of ultra-high-performance concrete applications. The understanding of UHPC will aid in increasing its entire market share in both the national and worldwide building sectors.

Keywords

• UHPC
• applications
• bridge engineering
• limitations
• challenges
• future prospects