Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Recent editions of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications contain updates that allow for reinforcing steels with yield strengths up to 100 ksi. TxDOT has not adopted these higher strength reinforcing steels in practice due to remaining questions around durability, cracking, and how best and when to implement the designs. Researchers conducted large scale testing in the lab to analyze the effectiveness of these higher-grade reinforcing steels in terms of cracking and strength-related issues. The testing results support the use of these materials in cases where they make sense. The project deliverables cover the best use cases of these materials.
For more information on research project 0-7090, check out the TxDOT Research Library project record here:
https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/Presto/content/Detail.aspx?ctID=M2UxNzg5YmEtYzMyZS00ZjBlLWIyODctYzljMzQ3ZmVmOWFl&rID=ODg1&qrs=RmFsc2U=&q=KHJwLlN0dWR5Tm86KDAtNzA5MCkp&qcf=M2UxNzg5YmEtYzMyZS00ZjBlLWIyODctYzljMzQ3ZmVmOWFl&ph=VHJ1ZQ==&bckToL=VHJ1ZQ==&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ==
For access to all TxDOT research, please visit the TxDOT Research Library at https://ctr.utexas.edu/library/
Recent editions of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications contain updates that allow for reinforcing steels with yield strengths up to 100 ksi. TxDOT has not adopted these higher strength reinforcing steels in practice due to remaining questions around durability, cracking, and how best and when to implement the designs. Researchers conducted large scale testing in the lab to analyze the effectiveness of these higher-grade reinforcing steels in terms of cracking and strength-related issues. The testing results support the use of these materials in cases where they make sense. The project deliverables cover the best use cases of these materials.
For more information on research project 0-7090, check out the TxDOT Research Library project record here:
https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/Presto/content/Detail.aspx?ctID=M2UxNzg5YmEtYzMyZS00ZjBlLWIyODctYzljMzQ3ZmVmOWFl&rID=ODg1&qrs=RmFsc2U=&q=KHJwLlN0dWR5Tm86KDAtNzA5MCkp&qcf=M2UxNzg5YmEtYzMyZS00ZjBlLWIyODctYzljMzQ3ZmVmOWFl&ph=VHJ1ZQ==&bckToL=VHJ1ZQ==&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ==
For access to all TxDOT research, please visit the TxDOT Research Library at https://ctr.utexas.edu/library/
