AUSTRALIA’S FIRST full scale geopolymer (EFC) bridge beam test was underway at Dowstress on Friday 3rd December with the casting of 2 x 50 MPa EFC beams alongside a comparison 2 x 50 MPa standard concrete beams. Sophisticated internal monitoring instrumentation installed in the beams will allow continuous monitoring of deformation, temperature and loading behaviour over the next 18 months.
NEVER BEFORE has such an extensive data collection been undertaken on bridge beams made from a pure geopolymer concrete material. The results will be documented in a complete engineering report on EFC by leading concrete materials expert Dr James Aldred of GHD.
Observing the casting of the beams was key Wagners customer – Qld Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). The ultimate seal of approval for EFC will be its approval by TMR for use in Qld government projects.
Other groups represented in the study include USQ who will be assisting in the monitoring and reporting phases and Zeobond Pty Ltd.
This first of its kind full scale bridge beam testing of EFC follows several other recent successful trials: EFC footpath for Toowoomba Regional Council – August 2010. EFC slab on ground, weighbridge fort Port of Brisbane – November 2010. EFC precast panels to Eastern Busway project, Brisbane for Eastern Busway Alliance December 2010.
We will keep you up to date on the findings from the beams testing program as the study progresses, in future Whispers.
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