Providing form and function is an architectural dream. Providing strength and resiliency is an engineering dream. Cor-Tuf Ultra High-Performance Concrete offers elegant, superior, cost-effective solutions for construction, repair and retrofitting of modern bridges.

Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) is a class of advanced fiber-reinforced cementitious composite materials whose mechanical strength and durability amply surpass those of conventional concrete. UHPC exhibits unconfined compressive strength above 150 MPa (21.7 ksi), pre- and post-cracking tensile strength above 5 MPa (0.7 ksi), and enhanced durability via a discontinuous pore structure.

Cor-Tuf raises the bar and is the benchmark for UHPCs. Developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (patent US 8016938 B2), the unconfined compressive strength of Cor-Tuf can exceed 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) on cylinder tests for applications requiring anti-ballistic resistance (e.g., blast protection shells for stay cables and hangers of bowstring arches and suspension bridges) and protection of humans and sensitive property.

The tensile strength and ductility of Cor-Tuf derive from the fibers integrated into the composite matrix. Polyester, fiberglass, basalt, steel and stainless steel fibers increase the uniaxial tensile strength from the cracking strength of the cementitious conglomerate to the bridging strength of the embedded fibers (see the stress-strain diagram below). The benefits of the exceptional strength and ductility of Cor-Tuf are thinner, lighter structural members with increased durability.

Cor-Tuf can be molded into any design, texture, color and shape. Architectural elements such as bridge parapets can achieve any appearance desired by the architect – masonry, wood siding, board & batted, textured concrete, etc. Cor-Tuf can also be cast in-place to connect precast members and in response to particular design requirements.

Cor-Tuf hardens in 2-3 hours and can be handled in 8 hours. The curing time varies with temperature and humidity; half-strength is generally reached in 5-7 days, and additional strength can be obtained with thermal curing.

Cor-Tuf is very adhesive: this makes it the best material for retrofitting and widening of existing bridges. Cor-Tuf also is moisture resistant and impervious to the penetration of chloride ions and aggressive agents. As a result, products made of Cor-Tuf offer much longer service life.

Guidelines and Publications

Below publications provide extensive guidance on the use of Cor-Tuf in bridge applications. For additional information, do not hesitate to contact us.

Founded by VDOT and FHWA, Evaluation of Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete analyzes the structural behavior of precast beams made with UHPC.
Ultra-High Performance Concrete: A State-of-the-Art Report for the Bridge Community provides extensive guidance on the use of UHPC in bridge structures as well as hundreds of bibliographic references.
Design and Construction of Field-Cast UHPC Connections provides design guidance on the use of UHPC connections between precast beams and deck panels.
NPCA Ultra High Performance Concrete provides guidelines to manufacturing of architectural precast UHPC elements.
Issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Report ERDC/GSL TR-10-46 provides lab-test characterization of the exceptional tensile strength and ductility of Cor-Tuf.
In a direct comparison with Lafarge Ductal ®, SANDIA Report SAND2010-2222 confirms superior performance of Cor-Tuf under ballistic penetration tests.

Visit this webpage regularly. We’ll post new documents on Cor-Tuf as soon as available. For any clarification, of course do not hesitate to contact us.

Cor-Tuf: a Family of Outstanding Materials

The extreme tensile strength, ductility and adhesion of Cor-Tuf open new perspectives in accelerated bridge construction and repair and retrofitting of existing bridges.

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Cor-Tuf offers unique performance levels in applications that require strength, ductility, flexibility, durability, toughness, impact resistance, dimensional stability, freeze/thaw resistance, impermeability, and resistance to abrasion, corrosion, aggressive environment and chemicals.

Contact Information

Printable Flyer

Download a printable 2-page flyer describing the main features of Cor-Tuf UHPC.

Any need for additional information or special applications? Do not hesitate to contact us.