Optimum Timing for Application of Sealers or Polymer Overlays on New Bridge Decks

Many states have used polymer overlays and penetrating deck sealers to extend the service life of concrete bridge decks. These preventive maintenance techniques provide protection to the concrete from deterioration by inhibiting the ingress of chlorides, chemicals, and moisture which slows active corrosion. This paper provides summary of a research report for the Iowa Department of Transportation that focuses on the use of polymer overlays and penetrating deck sealers to achieve extended service life objectives. The main objective of the study was to determine the optimum timing for application of preventive maintenance options on new bridge decks to maximize the benefit to cost ratio. A limited service life modeling and life-cycle cost analysis was conducted on a typical bridge deck in Iowa. For bridges with a typical life of 50 years, the results indicate that the greatest extensions in service life are obtained through a hybrid approach with sealers applied shortly after construction and polymer overlays installed within the first 5 years of service. For bridges with desired service life of 100 years, polymer overlays should be reinstalled through the life of the deck, at 25 years interval or less. Bridges with desired service life exceeding 50 years should be analyzed on a case-by-case basis

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AHD37 Standing Committee on Bridge Preservation. Alternate title: Use of Polymer Overlays or Sealers for Protection of New Bridge Decks.
• Authors:
  • ElBatanouny, Mohamed K
  • Nadelman, Elizabeth I
  • Kurth, Jonah C
  • Abu-Hawash, Ahmad
  • Krauss, Paul D
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2018-1-7 to 2018-1-11
• Date: 2018

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 15p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Concrete bridges; Costs; Life cycle costing; Maintenance; Pavement overlays; Polymers; Sealing compounds; Service life
• Identifier Terms: Iowa Department of Transportation
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01662777
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 18-06129
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 16 2018 9:51AM