UHPFRC “Upcycling” of Deficient Reinforced Concrete Bridges

UHPFRC stands for ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced-cementitious composite material, that is complemented by reinforcing steel bars to form a R-UHPFRC strengthening layer. UHPFRC “upcycling” has the goal to enhance the resistance and durability of deficient structural elements in reinforced concrete. It helps to avoid the still widespread and material- and cost-intensive practice of “demolition-replacement” of deficient reinforced concrete bridges. As UHPFRC “upcycling” often offers significant cost and environmental benefits, it should become the default option when dealing with deficient reinforced concrete bridges. This report is intended to serve for the structural engineering community to profit from the 20-year long application experience in Switzerland to broadly apply this new technology.