Efficiency of ultra-high-performance concrete applications on bridge construction

Abstract

Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) is a new building material with many mechanical and technical features that are outstanding comparing with traditional concrete (Normal Concrete-NC). This has been proved by many studies in the world but mainly on technical point of view, and only a few researches have been mentioned the economic-technical efficiency of this new material. This study compared two alternatives of bridge design and execution, one using the UHPC girders and another using the NC girders, the case study of An Thuong Bridge project in Hung Yen city, Vietnam. The economic-technical efficiency of UHPC is considered in many aspects such as technical, economic, environmental and social aspects. Four research methods were used to assess the efficiencies of UHPC, the method using integrated criterion, estimation method, life-cycle cost, and life-cycle assessment method. Through expert surveys and analysis of each alternative design, the final result shows that using UHPC is more efficient than using NC. Indeed, the alternative using UHPC has a lower cost and less environmental impact than the NC alternative. However, these conclusions are only true in the case An Thuong Bridge project. For the other cases, the replacement of NC by UHPC should be considered according to particular situations before implementing it. This research is useful for bridge construction managers, construction material production enterprises, bridge construction investors, etc.