PREVENTING CORROSION IN STEEL BRIDGES
On steel bridges, corrosion is most often caused when the steel is exposed to atmospheric conditions, such as salt, moisture, and oxygen. To prevent this corrosion, transportation agencies apply a protective coating to the steel. To help bridge coating inspectors better assess the condition of steel prior to painting, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently evaluated three commercially available chloride test kits (swab, patch, and sleeve) that are used to determine the cleanliness of steel surfaces. This article reports on this study which was undertaken to assess the accuracy and precision of the tests and to identify the factors that influence their performances. The results showed strengths and shortcomings for each test. Of the three tests, the swab test recovered the highest amount of chloride and also offered the most reproducible data. The authors also discuss the impact of heat and humidity on the test results. They conclude by calling for more tests in the field, rather than in the laboratory, to determine whether quantitative tests should be incorporated into specifications for bridge painting.
- Record URL:
-
Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1586080
-
Corporate Authors:
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Authors:
- Chong, S-L
- Publication Date: 2004-9
Language
- English
Media Info
- Features: Figures; Photos;
- Pagination: p. 57-61
-
Serial:
- Public Roads
- Volume: 68
- Issue Number: 2
- Publisher: Federal Highway Administration
- ISSN: 0033-3735
- Serial URL: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/
-
Publication flags:
Open Access (libre)
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Chlorides; Corrosion; Corrosion protection; Corrosion tests; Maintenance practices; Metal bridges; Painting; Rehabilitation; Steel
- Identifier Terms: U.S. Federal Highway Administration
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Geotechnology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; I34: Steels and Metals;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00983715
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS, USDOT
- Created Date: Dec 17 2004 12:00AM