Cracking-Resistant Concrete for Durable Coastal Structures

This research project aims to develop a crack-resistant and durable fiber reinforced concrete for coastal structures. The primary objective is to investigate the synergetic utilization of internal curing (IC) materials and recycled steel fibers (RSF) obtained from scrap tires. There have been continuous efforts to utilize IC agents to mitigate shrinkage and associated cracking in concrete for bridge decks. However, studies on using IC materials to control cracks and improve structural performance in concrete pavements are limited. Although lightweight aggregates (LWA) and superabsorbent polymers (SAP) have been used as IC agents, their inclusion can lead to a reduction in the mechanical properties of concrete. The reduced mechanical properties of internally cured concrete can be alleviated by incorporating RSF, which are abundant in the United States. Integrating IC materials with RSF can potentially provide resistance to crack opening and propagation, thereby enhancing the durability of concrete. Furthermore, adding RSF to internally cured concrete could potentially replace (partially or completely) the conventional steel reinforcement in pavement structures.