EVALUATION OF DECK DURABILITY ON CONTINUOUS BEAM HIGHWAY BRIDGES

In an effort to determine the extent of deck cracking on continuous steel beam bridges and the effect of the cracking on deck durability, 137 structures were visually inspected and 5 of these were selected for detailed evaluation. The general survey disclosed widespread transverse cracking throughout the lengths of the continuous beam sections in both the positive and negative moment areas. The cracking appeared to propagate, as the spans vibrated, from short pattern cracking probably caused by differential subsidence of the plastic concrete over the reinforcing steel and plastic shrinkage of the slab. Detailed deck evaluationsk which included half-cell potential measurements and evealuations, which included half-cell potential measurements and chloride content determinations, disclosed that chlorides were present in the cracks to a significantly greater degree than in adjuacent uncracked concrete. However, sealing the cracks with a low viscosity, low modulus epoxy compound appeared to be effective in limiting the entry of chlorides. In spite of the widespread cracking noted and the presence of chlorides in the e cracks, corrosion-induced deck distress was not found to be a widespread problem on continuous span bridges. (Author) bridges. (Author)

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• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/19064
• Corporate Authors:

  Virginia Highway and Transportation Research Council

  Charlottesville, VA  United States 

  Virginia Department of Highways

  Traffic and Planning Division, 1221 East Broad Street
  Richmond, VA  United States  23219

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • McKeel Jr, W T
• Publication Date: 1985-5

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 28 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Beams; Bridge decks; Chlorine content; Continuous structures; Durability; Epoxides; Highway bridges; Sealing compounds; Transverse cracking; Vibration
• Uncontrolled Terms: Continuous beams; Steel beams
• Old TRIS Terms: Epoxy
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00396671
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/VA-85/32, VHTRC 85-R32
• Contract Numbers: 2087
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 31 1987 12:00AM