Development of Novel Repair Technology for Deteriorated Bridge Components******

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Facca Inc. has 60 years of experience in heavy civil construction, specializing in bridge construction, but having branched into different sectors of the construction industry. The Company delivers quality products and projects on schedule by employing and supporting motivated, flexible and safety-driven teams. Recently, the company is eyeing the huge prospects of using emerging high performance fiber reinforced engineered cementitious composite (ECC) instead of traditional concretes in the repair of bridge infrastructures. Rehabilitation and repair of bridge structures damaged by continuous wear, as well as time-dependent and environmental effects, is a major concern for a large number of reinforced concrete (RC) and prestressed concrete bridge structures. Every year, in North America, billions of dollars are spent to repair and maintain bridges. With decreasing budget allocations for infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement, the need for greater durability is apparent. The high strain capacity (300 to 500 times greater than normal concrete) and durability (maintaining crack widths less than 60 µm) makes flowable ECC an ideal material for construction. Given the worldwide demand for infrastructure systems, the potential application of ECC either in new construction or as a repair material is enormous. ECC-based repair in construction is an emerging technology. The implementation of such technology can enhance strength, durability, ductility and service life of bridge structures and also solve problems associated with conventional concrete repairs. The proposed research project, initiated by Facca, is aimed at developing ECC-based repair technology for deteriorated bridge piers. The main objectives of this research are to study axial load behaviour of ECC-repaired deteriorated RC bridge piers under static monotonic loading compared to their non-deteriorated counterparts and develop design specifications for ECC-repaired bridge piers. Facca can gain competitive advantage in the construction industry (leading to boosting revenue and job creation) through this development considering future prospects and demand of emerging ECC-based repair technologies in Canadian and global markets.**