DEEP IMPREGNATION OF CONCRETE BRIDGE DECKS WITH LINSEED OIL

The overall objective of the research described in this paper was to evaluate the feasibility of deep impregnation of concrete bridge decks with boiled linseed oil/diluent mixtures. Impregnation is one of the techniques that is currently receiving considerable attention as a means of improving the longevity of bridge decks by reducing or preventing spalling problems associated with corrosion of reinforcing steel. The choice of linseed oil was based on safety (low volatility and high flash point), cost considerations, and the elimination of the polymerization step required for other polymers. Also, many highway agencies are already familiar with linseed oil, since it is commonly sprayed on bridge deck surfaces periodically to retard surface scaling. The latter procedure results in penetration depths of less than 3 mm and has little or no effect on preventing spalling. Deep impregnation requires a drying step to remove water, followed by sufficient contact with the impregnant to permit penetration to the desired depth. Following a period of preliminary laboratory studies, demonstration impregnations were carried out on 5.6 sq m areas on two bridge decks. One of the bridges had been subject to 3 winters of deicer salt application. The other had received no salt. Four days soaking time with a 50-50 mixture of boiled linseed oil/mineral spirits mixture was used in the impregnation step. Examination of cores subsequently removed from the test areas revealed that penetration depths ranging from about 5 to 10 cm were obtained. /Author/

Media Info

  • Media Type: Print
  • Features: Figures; Photos; References;
  • Pagination: pp 183-188
  • Monograph Title: Bridge Engineering. Volume 1
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00183763
  • Record Type: Publication
  • ISBN: 0309026962
  • Files: TRIS, TRB
  • Created Date: Dec 3 1978 12:00AM