The fire response of a potassium aluminosilicate (Geopolymer) matrix carbon fiber composite was measured and the results compared to organic matrix composites being used for transportation, military, and infrastructure applications. At irradiance levels of 50 kW m\ typical of the heat flux in a well-developed fire, glass-or carbon-reinforced polyester, vinylester, epoxy, bismaleimde, cyanate ester, polyimide, phenolic, and engineering thermoplastic laminates ignited readily and released appreciable heat and smoke, while carbon-fiber reinforced Geopolymer composites did not ignite, burn, or release any smoke even after extended heat flux exposure. The Geopolymer matrix carbon fiber composite retains 67% of its original flexural strength after a simulated large fire exposure.
Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) is currently being employed to facilitate the redecking of the four-lane, 3.5-mile long Pulaski Skyway. The $400 million project is part of a series of projects to completely rehabilitate this monumental structure, which was built in 1932 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Skyway carries about 70,000 vehicles per day and is a critical link in the Greater New York City transportation network. Because of the critical nature of the Skyway to the region's transportation, and the narrowness of the structure making it difficult to perform maintenance without impacting traffic, the New Jersey Department of Transportation wanted to ensure that the new bridge deck would have a service life of 75-years with little maintenance required during that time period. Consequently, plant-cast concrete deck panels with stainless steel reinforcing bars and field-cast UHPC panel closure joints was selected as the redecking system. This paper will discuss the decisions made during the design of the Pulaski Skyway redecking project regarding the deck system that was chosen, and will present in detail the reasons behind the selection of UHPC for the project and the benefits that it provides to the project schedule, budget, and durability.
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