Analysis of Bridge Deck Cracking Data: A Review of Mechanisms, Analysis of MnDOT Bridge Construction Data, and Recommendations for Treatment and Prevention

Cracking of the concrete decks on newly constructed bridges in Minnesota has become a significant concern. Since 2005 the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has been collecting bridge deck construction and early age cracking information on a “Bridge Deck Placement Data Form.” The information collected has been entered into a database, along with early age crack surveys, concrete mix design information and concrete testing information. There currently is information on over 120 bridges stored in the database. Crack surveys were performed on 20 of the bridges contained in the database. A statistical analysis of the data, including the updated crack surveys, was performed to determine if there were any relationships between variables collected on the forms and crack frequency, type, or time of development. The analysis showed that, in general, the data collected were not sufficiently consistent to draw significant conclusions. A relationship for temperature restraint cracking for bridges with integral abutments was developed for lineal feet of cracking as a function of bridge deck age, water/cementitious material ratio, and total cementitious content. Recommendations were made for modifications to current construction practices and improving the uniformity of the data collected on the “Bridge Deck Placement Data Form” in the future, so that additional analysis could be performed with more consistent data.

• Record URL:
  http://www.lrrb.org/media/reports/201409.pdf
• Record URL:
  http://www.dot.state.mn.us/research/TS/2014/201409.pdf
• 
• Summary URL:
  http://www.dot.state.mn.us/research/TS/2014/201409TS.pdf
• Corporate Authors:

  American Engineering Testing, Incorporated

  550 Cleveland Avenue North
  St Paul, MN  United States  55114-1804

  Minnesota Department of Transportation

  Research Services and Library
  395 John Ireland Boulevard
  St Paul, MN  United States  55155
• Authors:
  • Rettner, David L
  • Fiegen, Melanie S
  • Snyder, Mark B
  • MacDonald, Kevin A
• Publication Date: 2014-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 69p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Concrete; Cracking; Data collection; Mix design; Statistical analysis
• Identifier Terms: Minnesota Department of Transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Construction practices
• Geographic Terms: Minnesota
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01537859
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MN/RC 2014-09
• Contract Numbers: 98640
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 20 2014 5:50PM