A new mixture design methodology based on the Packing Density Theory for high performance concrete in bridge engineering

In this study, a new mixture design methodology based on the 4-parameters compressible packing model (CPM) of Packing Density Theory was proposed to satisfy the specific performance criteria of high performance concrete for prestressed concrete bridge construction. Iterative algorithms were developed to determine the parameter of critical cavity size ratio x0 which reflect the crushed aggregate particles shape property and optimize the proportions of aggregates with different size range. After the optimization of aggregates, all the components in concrete were calculated. Thirty-one concrete mixtures with coarse aggregate from 5 different sources have been formulated according to this method to validate it both in fresh and hardened state. The workability, mechanical, and durability properties are verified during the slump, compressive strength, shrinkage, chloride-penetration resistance, and freeze-thaw resistance tests to characterize the obtained high-performance concrete. It is clear from the study that the proposed method is a successful theory for optimizing composition of high performance concrete.