Addressing Construction Needs for Ultra-High Performance (UHPC) Structural Elements

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is seeking proposals to address construction needs for Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) structural elements. The goal of this initiative is to accelerate the adoption of UHPC in highway structural elements by addressing key construction challenges and promoting effective practices. The proposals should focus on overcoming obstacles, improving integration, and ensuring high-quality production through research focused on the development of standardized construction guidelines. The following focus areas should be addressed: facilitating broader adoption, overcoming industry hurdles, ensuring design integrity, and standardizing construction guidance. Some key points to consider include: • Developing special procedures, casting methods, curing techniques, fresh property testing, and requirements for UHPC construction • Identifying industry hurdles and developing corrective actions to address potential issues during construction • Examining the link between construction techniques and design properties to ensure the finished component meets performance requirements • Developing standardized construction guidance for inclusion in contract documents • Aligning UHPC component design with the AASHTO Guide Specification for Structural Design with Ultra-High Performance Concrete • Including a plan for fresh property testing and qualification process for UHPC materials