OVERVIEW
On March 27, 2025, the National Concrete Bridge Council in conjunction with the Concrete Bridge Engineering Institute and the Federal Highway Administration, hosted a workshop in Boone, North Carolina, titled “Construction of Un-ducted External Post-Tensioning with Epoxy Coated Strand in the Laurel Fork Bridge” This one-day workshop was an opportunity for attendees to learn about the latest state-of-the-art for the use of epoxy coated stand and a demonstration of the technology in the Laurel Fork Bridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Workshop kicked off at 8:00 a.m. on the campus of Appalachian State University with presentations by industry experts on the technology. Vendors and producers of these materials and components including Dywidag, Sumiden Wire, and Structural Technologies Inc. provide table-top displays to further enhance attendee experience. At the conclusion of the morning session, box lunches were distributed and attendees boarded buses for a site visit of the Laurel Fork Bridge. The construction of the bridge was at a point that attendees were able to go inside the concrete segmental box girder and observer firsthand the previously installed and stressed epoxy coated strands. In addition, stations were set up that demonstrated to the attendees the detection and repair process for epoxy coating. Opportunities to view the structure from above as well as below were also afforded. The site visit then wrapped up at 4:00 with buses returning attendees to Boone by 5:00 p.m.
RESOURCES
Presentations:
- Welcome and Intro – Freeby
- NCBC Update EC Strand Showcase – Christle
- Need for Tech – Freeby
- Epoxy-Coated Strand – Sumiden Wire – Cornelius
- Design and Detailing – Ledesma
- VSL – Udt – Sward
- Laurel Fork Showcase – Campbell
- Blue Ridge Parkway Bridge – Pfunter
- BRP Ext TDN Stressing – Pfunter
Reference Documents:
Replaceable Grouted External Post-Tensioned Tendons (FHWA-HIF-190-67)
Long-Term Monitoring of Post-Tensioning Tendon Force Using Optical Fiber Technology (FHWA-HIF-24-085)
Session Videos:
March 2025 Epoxy Coated Strand Workshop Session 1
March 2025 Epoxy Coated Strand Workshop Session 2
Site Visit Photos:
