Life cycle assessment of orthotropic steel bridge decks covered with Bituminous concrete or uhpfrc topping layer

Author(s): F. Gomes, M. Rivallain, A. Feraille, P. Marchand, C. Tessier and F. Toutlemonde
Paper category: symposium
Book title: International Symposium on Life Cycle Assessment and Construction – Civil engineering and buildings
Editor(s): A. Ventura and C. de la Roche
Print ISBN: 978-2-35158-127-8
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-128-5
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Pages: 161 – 169 (+ 2 pages of appendixes)
Total Pages: 11
Language: English

Abstract: In the frame of the joint R&D project Orthoplus, an experimental program has been carried out to assess the influence of topping layers, either made of bituminous concrete (BC) or ultra high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), on the behaviour of orthotropic decks and their fatigue resistance. This project aims at improving the design rules for orthotropic deck and developing a UHPFRC-based innovative solution to improve the durability of orthotropic decks.
The fatigue strength of the orthotropic decks and the durability of overlays are parameters influencing the environmental performance of the considered bridge deck solutions over their life cycle. To assess the sensitivity of the design on environmental balance, the following two types of topping layers, bituminous concrete and UHPFRC, were compared through life cycle assessment methodology, carried out on a structure involving orthotropic decks: the Millau viaduct. Even if the Millau viaduct is rather an exceptional structure, the broad literature encountered gave us access to a lot of data concerning dimensions, materials origin, construction techniques.
The present paper details the environmental performance of the Millau viaduct orthotropic steel bridge decks topped with bituminous concrete or alternatively UHPFRC.

Keywords: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), orthotropic steel bridge decks, bituminous concrete coating, ultra high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) topping layer

Online publication: 2012
Publication Type: full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00