Bridge Deck Cracking Structural Investigation with Computer Vision-Informed Infrastructure Condition Assessment
This research identifies the cause of transverse bridge deck cracking on a steel girder bridge. The study uses high fidelity crack measurements obtained with a computer vision-based infrastructure assessment platform developed at Virginia Tech called OJOS (e.g., eyes in Spanish) to create a 3D digital bridge deck model. Crack measures taken from this model inform structural evaluations that calculate stresses from concrete shrinkage restrained deformation, thermal effects, and service live load. OJOS can scan a bridge deck and accurately identify and measure cracks at 440 ft (134 m) per minute per lane. Measured crack widths from the digital model are on average within ±0.01 in. of those measured by hand with a concrete crack ruler in the field. It is hypothesized that drying shrinkage is the primary cause of transverse cracking based on crack spacing and width statistics assembled from the 3D digital model with secondary contributions from service level live load and temperature strains after concrete placement. Transverse cracks are regularly spaced along the bridge consistent with stresses from restrained deformations, not live load moment gradients. The cumulative crack widths along the bridge correspond to a commonly accepted shrinkage strain range for concrete. The hypothesis is further supported by the calculated composite dead and live load surface crack widths occurring near an interior pier which is 13% of the mean measured crack width of 0.10 in. (2.5 mm). Continued research investment in low shrinkage concrete is recommended to prevent transverse cracking that can lead to premature reinforcement corrosion from deicing salts and reduced service life.
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Supplemental Notes:
- This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFF40 Standing Committee on Field Testing and Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) of Transportation Structures.
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Corporate Authors:
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001 -
Authors:
- Salomon, Abraham Lama
- Moen, Cristopher D
- Sprinkel, Michael M
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Conference:
- Transportation Research Board 95th Annual Meeting
- Location: Washington DC, United States
- Date: 2016-1-10 to 2016-1-14
- Date: 2016
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 14p
- Monograph Title: TRB 95th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Automation; Bridge decks; Computer vision; Condition surveys; Transverse cracking
- Identifier Terms: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01593568
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: 16-5532
- Files: PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
- Created Date: Mar 15 2016 10:10AM