The objectives of this research were 1) to investigate the effects of hydrodemolition treatment timing on chloride concentration profiles in concrete bridge decks for depths of concrete removal below the top mat of reinforcing steel and 2) to investigate factors that influence the occurrence of blow-throughs in concrete bridge decks when hydrodemolition is used. The research results are intended to provide engineers with guidance about the latest timing of hydrodemolition that can maintain a chloride concentration level below 2.0 lb of chloride per cubic yard of concrete at the levels of both the top and bottom mats of reinforcing steel, as well as about conditions that may indicate a higher probability of blow-through during hydrodemolition. The scope of this research included a questionnaire survey of hydrodemolition companies to summarize common practices in the field, numerical modeling of chloride concentration to investigate hydrodemolition treatment timing on typical Utah bridge decks, and structural analysis to investigate factors that influence the occurrence of blow-throughs during hydrodemolition. While some survey respondents indicated that certain parameters vary, the responses are valuable for understanding typical practices and were used to design the numerical experiments. The numerical modeling generated chloride concentration profiles through a 75-year service life given a specific original cover depth (OCD), treatment time, and surface treatment usage. The results indicate that, when a surface treatment is used, the concentration at either the top or bottom mat of reinforcing steel does not reach or exceed 2.0 lb of chloride per cubic yard of concrete after hydrodemolition during the 75 years of simulated bridge deck service life. The results also indicate that, when a surface treatment is not used, the chloride concentration at the top mat of reinforcement exceeds 2.0 lb of chloride per cubic yard of concrete within 10, 15, and 20 years for OCD values of 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 in., respectively. The numerical experiments generated results in terms of the main effect of each input variable on the occurrence of blow-throughs and interactions among selected input variables. For each analysis, blow-through can be expected when the calculated factor of safety is less than 1.0. The factor of safety significantly increases with increasing values of transverse rebar spacing and concrete compressive strength and decreasing values of depth of removal below the bottom of the top reinforcing mat, orifice size, and water pressure within the ranges of these parameters investigated in this experimentation. The factor of safety is relatively insensitive to jet angle. For both case studies evaluated in this research, the blow-through analysis correctly predicted a high or low potential for blow-through on the given deck.

As the primary cause of concrete bridge deck deterioration in the United States is corrosion of the steel reinforcement as a result of the application of chloride-based deicing salts, chloride concentration testing is among the most common techniques for evaluating the condition of a concrete bridge deck. The objectives of this research were to 1) compare concrete drilling and powder collection techniques to develop a sampling protocol for accurately measuring chloride concentrations and 2) determine the number of chloride concentration test locations necessary for adequately characterizing the chloride concentration of a given bridge deck. Laboratory experiments on concrete drilling and powder collection were conducted to compare current concrete powder sampling techniques, including constant and stepwise drilling methods and spoon and vacuum powder collection methods. In addition, three charts were prepared to determine the number of chloride concentration test locations necessary for adequately characterizing the chloride concentration of a given bridge deck. The number of samples is dependent on reliability, spatial variability in chloride concentration, and an allowable difference between sample and population means. For the experiment on drilling, this research shows that the practice of decreasing the size of the drill bit in a stepwise fashion with increasing sampling depth reduces the possibility of abrading concrete from the sides of the hole above the sampling depth, where the chloride concentrations are higher, during drilling of lower lifts. For the experiment on powder collection, this research demonstrates that representative samples of concrete powder can be collected with either a spoon or a vacuum. Based on the results of this research, the stepwise drilling method and either the spoon or vacuum powder collection method are recommended for application. In addition, the charts developed in this research are recommended for estimating the number of chloride concentration test locations necessary for adequately characterizing the chloride concentration of a given bridge deck. This research will be helpful in effectively assessing the condition of concrete bridge decks with respect to chloride-induced corrosion of the reinforcing steel and prioritizing bridge maintenance and rehabilitation projects.

The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of twisted steel micro rebar (TSMR) fibers on 1) the mechanical properties of concrete used in bridge deck construction and 2) the early cracking behavior of concrete bridge decks. This research involved the evaluation of four newly constructed bridge decks through a series of laboratory and field tests. At each location, one deck was constructed using a conventional concrete mixture without TSMR, and one was constructed using the same conventional concrete mixture with an addition of 40 lb of TSMR per cubic yard of concrete. Regarding laboratory testing, the conventional and TSMR beam specimens exhibited similar average changes in height after 4 months of shrinkage testing. The electrical impedance measurements did not indicate a notable difference between specimens comprising concrete with TSMR and those comprising conventional concrete. Although no notable difference in behavior between conventional and TSMR specimens was apparent before initial cracking, the toughness of the TSMR specimens was substantially greater than that of the conventional concrete specimens. Regarding field testing, sensors installed in the bridge decks indicated that the addition of TSMR does not affect internal concrete temperature, moisture content, or electrical conductivity. The average Schmidt rebound number varied little between the TSMR decks and conventional decks; therefore, the stiffness of the TSMR concrete was very similar to that of conventional concrete. Distress surveys showed that the conventional decks exhibited notably more cracking than the TSMR decks. The TSMR fibers exhibited the ability to limit both crack density and crack width. For all of the decks, chloride concentrations increased every year as a result of the use of deicing salts on the bridge decks during winter. However, the chloride concentrations for samples collected over cracked concrete increased more rapidly than those for samples collected over non-cracked concrete. Although TSMR fibers themselves do not directly affect the rate at which chloride ions penetrated cracked or non-cracked concrete, the fibers do prevent cracking, which, in turn, limits the penetration of chloride ions into the decks. Therefore, the use of TSMR would be expected to decrease the area of a bridge deck affected by cracking and subsequent chloride-induced corrosion damage and thereby increase the service life of the bridge deck.

The objectives of this research were to 1) investigate bridge deck condition assessment methods used in the field and laboratory, methods of managing bridge decks, and methods for estimating remaining bridge deck service life using computer models through a comprehensive literature review on these subjects; 2) collect and analyze field data from representative concrete bridge decks in Utah; and 3) develop a decision tree for concrete bridge deck management in Utah. As a result of the literature review performed for objective 1, a synthesis of existing information about condition assessment, bridge deck preservation and rehabilitation, bridge deck reconstruction, and estimating remaining service life using computer models was compiled. For objective 2, 15 bridge decks were strategically selected for testing in this research. Five bridge decks had bare concrete surfaces, five bridge decks had asphalt overlays, and five bridge decks had polymer overlays. Bridge deck testing included site layout, cover depth measurement, chloride concentration testing, chain dragging, half-cell potential testing, Schmidt rebound hammer testing, impact-echo testing, and vertical electrical impedance testing. Two-sample t-tests were performed to investigate the effects of selected bridge deck features, including polymer overlay application, deck age at polymer overlay application, overlay age, asphalt overlay application with and without a membrane, stay-in-place metal forms (SIPMFs), SIPMF removal, internally cured concrete, and use of an automatic deck deicing system. For objective 3, condition assessment methods were described in terms of test type, factors evaluated, equipment cost, data collection speed, required expertise, and traffic control for each method. Unit costs, expected treatment service life estimates, and factors addressed for the preservation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction methods most commonly used by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) were also summarized. Bridge deck testing results were supplemented with information about current bridge deck management practices and treatment costs obtained from UDOT, as well as information about condition assessment and expected treatment service life, to develop a decision tree for concrete bridge deck management. Based on the results of field work and statistical analyses, placing an overlay within a year after construction is recommended. Removing SIPMFs after a deck age greater than 18 years is not likely to be effective at reversing the adverse effects of the SIPMFs on bridge deck condition and is not recommended. Bridge deck construction using internally cured concrete is not recommended for protecting against rebar corrosion. To the extent that excluding an automatic deck deicing system does not compromise public safety, automatic deck deicing systems are not recommended. To supplement the typical corrosion initiation threshold of 2.0 lb Cl-/yd3 of concrete for black bar, a corrosion initiation threshold of 8.0 lb Cl-/yd3 of concrete is recommended in this research for bridge decks with intact epoxy-coated rebar. For chloride concentrations less than 20 lb Cl-/yd3 of concrete as measured between reinforcing bars, an increase of up to 70 percent should be applied to estimate the corresponding chloride concentration of the concrete in direct contact with the rebar. The decision tree developed in this research includes 10 junctions and seven recommended treatments. The junctions require the user to address questions about surface type, degree of protection against water and chloride ion ingress, degree of deterioration, and years of additional service life needed; the answers lead to selection of treatment options ranging from repairing an overlay to full-depth bridge deck reconstruction. Revisions to the decision tree should be incorporated as additional methods, data, treatments, or other relevant information become available.

The objectives of this research were to 1) investigate bridge deck condition assessment methods used in the field and laboratory, methods of managing bridge decks, and methods for estimating remaining bridge deck service life using computer models through a comprehensive literature review on these subjects; 2) collect and analyze field data from representative concrete bridge decks in Utah; and 3) develop a decision tree for concrete bridge deck management in Utah. As a result of the literature review performed for objective 1, a synthesis of existing information about condition assessment, bridge deck preservation and rehabilitation, bridge deck reconstruction, and estimating remaining service life using computer models was compiled. For objective 2, 15 bridge decks were strategically selected for testing in this research. Five bridge decks had bare concrete surfaces, five bridge decks had asphalt overlays, and five bridge decks had polymer overlays. Bridge deck testing included site layout, cover depth measurement, chloride concentration testing, chain dragging, half-cell potential testing, Schmidt rebound hammer testing, impact-echo testing, and vertical electrical impedance testing. Two-sample t-tests were performed to investigate the effects of selected bridge deck features, including polymer overlay application, deck age at polymer overlay application, overlay age, asphalt overlay application with and without a membrane, stay-in-place metal forms (SIPMFs), SIPMF removal, internally cured concrete, and use of an automatic deck deicing system. For objective 3, condition assessment methods were described in terms of test type, factors evaluated, equipment cost, data collection speed, required expertise, and traffic control for each method. Unit costs, expected treatment service life estimates, and factors addressed for the preservation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction methods most commonly used by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) were also summarized. Bridge deck testing results were supplemented with information about current bridge deck management practices and treatment costs obtained from UDOT, as well as information about condition assessment and expected treatment service life, to develop a decision tree for concrete bridge deck management. Based on the results of field work and statistical analyses, placing an overlay within a year after construction is recommended. Removing SIPMFs after a deck age greater than 18 years is not likely to be effective at reversing the adverse effects of the SIPMFs on bridge deck condition and is not recommended. Bridge deck construction using internally cured concrete is not recommended for protecting against rebar corrosion. To the extent that excluding an automatic deck deicing system does not compromise public safety, automatic deck deicing systems are not recommended. To supplement the typical corrosion initiation threshold of 2.0 lb Cl-/yd3 of concrete for black bar, a corrosion initiation threshold of 8.0 lb Cl-/yd3 of concrete is recommended in this research for bridge decks with intact epoxy-coated rebar. For chloride concentrations less than 20 lb Cl-/yd3 of concrete as measured between reinforcing bars, an increase of up to 70 percent should be applied to estimate the corresponding chloride concentration of the concrete in direct contact with the rebar. The decision tree developed in this research includes 10 junctions and seven recommended treatments. The junctions require the user to address questions about surface type, degree of protection against water and chloride ion ingress, degree of deterioration, and years of additional service life needed; the answers lead to selection of treatment options ranging from repairing an overlay to full-depth bridge deck reconstruction. Revisions to the decision tree should be incorporated as additional methods, data, treatments, or other relevant information become available.

Bridge engineers and managers in coastal areas and cold regions frequently specify the application of surface treatments on concrete bridge decks as barriers against chloride ingress. In consideration of concrete cover thickness and the presence of stay-in-place metal forms (SIPMFs), the objective of this research was to determine the latest timing of initial surface treatment applications on concrete bridge decks subjected to external chloride loading before chlorides accumulate in sufficient quantities to initiate corrosion during the service life of the deck. Chloride concentration data for this research were collected from 12 concrete bridge decks located within the I-215 corridor in Salt Lake City, Utah. Numerical modeling was utilized to generate a chloride loading function and to determine the diffusion coefficient of each deck. Based on average diffusion coefficients for decks with and without SIPMFs, chloride concentration profiles were computed through time for cover thicknesses of 2.0 in., 2.5 in., and 3.0 in. The results of the work show that the average diffusion coefficient for bridge decks with SIPMFs is approximately twice that of decks without SIPMFs and that, on average, each additional 0.5 in. of cover beyond 2.0 in. allows an extra 2 years for decks with SIPMFs and 5 years for decks without SIPMFs before a surface treatment must be placed to prevent excessive accumulation of chlorides. Although the data generated in this research are based on conditions typical of bridge decks in Utah, they clearly illustrate the effect of cover depth and the presence of SIPMFs. Given these research findings, engineers should carefully determine the appropriate timing for initial applications of surface treatments to concrete bridge decks in consideration of cover depth and the presence of SIPMFs. For maintenance of concrete bridge decks with properties similar to those tested in this study, engineers should follow the guidelines developed in this research to minimize the ingress of chlorides into the decks over time and therefore retard the onset of reinforcement corrosion; altogether separate guidelines may be needed for decks having substantially different properties. Surface treatments should be replaced as needed to ensure continuing protection of the concrete bridge deck against chloride ingress.

Dissertação(mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Oceânica, Escola de Engenharia, 2010. / Submitted by Lilian M. Silva (lilianmadeirasilva@hotmail.com) on 2013-04-18T00:14:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Comportamento Dos Perfis De Cloreto Em Tetrápodes Localizados Nos Molhes Da Barra. (Rio Grande – RS –. Brasil)..pdf: 8213108 bytes, checksum: 3de71990a8d41cc4d48f12c77b892ecb (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Bruna Vieira(bruninha_vieira@ibest.com.br) on 2013-06-10T18:28:50Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Comportamento Dos Perfis De Cloreto Em Tetrápodes Localizados Nos Molhes Da Barra. (Rio Grande – RS –. Brasil)..pdf: 8213108 bytes, checksum: 3de71990a8d41cc4d48f12c77b892ecb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-06-10T18:28:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Comportamento Dos Perfis De Cloreto Em Tetrápodes Localizados Nos Molhes Da Barra. (Rio Grande – RS –. Brasil)..pdf: 8213108 bytes, checksum: 3de71990a8d41cc4d48f12c77b892ecb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / A vida útil de estruturas de concreto armado tem sido motivo de preocupação entre os diversos pesquisadores da área. Com o objetivo de melhor compreender o comportamento de uma estrutura de concreto armado, exposta ao ambiente marítimo, foi realizada uma avaliação dos tetrápodes dos molhes da Barra do Rio Grande à 5 anos de exposição (Guimarães, 2003) com a retirada de amostras e o traçado dos perfis de cloreto. Após essa avaliação, fora identificado um alto teor de cloretos no interior dos tetrápodes, que atribui-se a uma possível contaminação desses elementos durante a sua confecção. O presente trabalho teve com o objetivo avaliar o desempenho dos tetrápodes quanto a penetração de íons cloreto ao longo do tempo, e para tal foi realizada uma comparação entre os perfis de cloreto aos 5 anos e aos 9,5 anos. Com as equações de Cranck (1975) foi obtido um modelo no qual se considerou a variação da concentração de cloretos na superfície (Cs), pois esse parâmetro aumentou significativamente dos 5 para 9,5 anos. O referido modelo apresentou bons resultados, pois os perfis estimados demonstraram semelhança com os perfis de medição de cloreto dos tetrápodes, principalmente na idade de 9,5 anos e com o uso de keq, demonstrando a importância de sua aplicabilidade na prática. A partir do coeficiente de difusão estimado aos 9,5 anos, obteve-se os perfis de cloreto para Cs fixo de 0,588 %, aos 50 anos, aos 100 anos e aos 200 anos. De posse dos coeficientes de difusão aos 9,5 anos e com o uso de k e keq, foi estimado o grau de saturação, a partir de uma comparação com o estudo de Rodrigues (2009). Para confirmar o alto GS estimado para o ponto MLOI, foi realizado ensaio de GS dia nos tetrápodes. Os resultados foram satisfatórios e apresentaram coerência com as estimativas. Enfim, os ambientes dos tetrápodes demonstraram grande agressividade com altos teores de cloreto em profundidades consideráveis. Portanto, para o caso de uma estrutura de concreto armado, inserida em ambiente semelhante aos tetrápodes, não só as recomendações da NBR 6118/2003 são suficientes para garantir a durabilidade da estrutura, principalmente no que se refere ao cobrimento do concreto, devendo principalmente ser considerado o tipo de cimento a ser utilizado. / The useful life of structures made of reinforced concrete has been a matter of concern to researchers in this field. An evaluation of the tetrapods at the jetties located in Rio Grande, RS, was carried out after their five-year exposure to a marine environment (Guimarães, 2003)with the aim of understanding the behavior of a structure made of reinforced concrete under such conditions. Samples were collected and the chloride profiles were executed. After this evaluation, a high concentration of chloride was found in the interior of the tetrapods; this fact may be attributed to contamination during their manufacturing. This paper aims at evaluating the behavior of tetrapods regarding the penetration of chloride ions throughout some time. Therefore, a comparison between the chloride profiles at the age of 5 and at the age of 9.5 was made. Cranck’s equations (1975) led to a model in which the variation of the surface chloride concentration (CS) was taken into account, since this parameter has significantly increased from 5 year-old tetrapods to 9.5 year-old ones. This model showed good results: the estimated profiles were similar to the measurement profiles of the chloride of the tetrapods, mainly at 9.5 and with the use of keq. This is an evidence of the importance of its practical applicability. Based on the diffusion coefficient which was estimated for 9.5 year-old tetrapods, 0.588% was obtained as a fixed profile of CS at 50, 100 and 200 years old. Based on the diffusion coefficients at 9.5 and with the use of k and keq, the saturation degree (SD) was estimated after a comparison with Rodrigues’ study (2009). To confirm the high SD which was estimated for the MOIL point, a SDday test was carried out with the tetrapods. Results were satisfactory and coherent with the estimates. Finally, the environment, in which the tetrapods were, showed a high level of aggressiveness with high concentration of chloride at considerable depths. Therefore, in the case of a structure made of reinforced concrete which is an environment that is similar to the one in which tetrapods are, the NBR 6118/2003 recommendations alone are not enough to assure the durability of the structure, mainly regarding the concrete cover, i.e., the type of cement must also be chosen accordingly.

The objectives of this research were to investigate the effect of stay-in-place metal forms (SIPMFs) on the performance of concrete bridge decks in Utah. The research program included six bridge decks with SIPMFs and six decks without SIPMFs, which were all located within the Interstate 215 corridor in the vicinity of Salt Lake City, Utah, and therefore subject to similar traffic loading, climatic conditions, and maintenance treatments, including applications of deicing salts during winter months. All of the tested decks were constructed between 1984 and 1989 using epoxy-coated rebar. Several tests were performed at each of six locations on each deck, including visual inspection, chain dragging, hammer sounding, Schmidt hammer testing, half-cell potential testing, and chloride concentration testing. Because differences in deck age and average cover for the two deck types were found to be statistically significant, the collected data were subjected to analysis of covariance (ANOCOVA) testing, with age and cover as covariates. All calculated p-values were compared to the standard value of 0.05. The distress survey results indicate that the average crack width and crack density for decks without SIPMFs were greater by 41 and 25 percent, respectively, than the corresponding values for decks with SIPMFs and that decks without SIPMFs had more potholes than decks with SIPMFs. However, the delamination density for bridge decks with SIPMFs was 71 percent higher than that of decks without SIPMFs. The average Schmidt rebound number for decks with SIPMFs was higher than that for decks without SIPMFs by an equivalent of 1,400 psi. The half-cell potential for decks with SIPMFs was 0.123 lower than that of decks without SIPMFs, indicating that a more active state of corrosion exists on decks with SIPMFs. On average, the chloride concentration in the bridge decks with SIPMFs was 205 percent greater than the concentration in the decks without SIPMFs. Among all of the distress measurements evaluated in the ANOCOVA, crack width was the only parameter that was determined to be significantly different between the two types of decks at the time of testing. In addition, Schmidt rebound number, half-cell potential, and chloride concentration at 2-in. depth all yielded p-values less than 0.05, indicating that significant differences in these properties exist between decks with and without SIPMFs. Specifically, the decks with SIPMFs have a higher compressive strength, a more active state of corrosion, and a higher chloride concentration, which may all be attributable to elevated moisture contents in decks with SIPMFs arising from the reduction in deck surface area from which moisture may evaporate. These data indicate that decks with SIPMFs are clearly more susceptible to reinforcement corrosion compared to decks without SIPMFs and may therefore exhibit greater magnitudes of damage with time. Given these research findings, engineers should carefully compare the short-term advantages against the potential long-term disadvantages associated with the use of SIPMFs for concrete bridge deck construction. If SIPMFs are approved for use, engineers may consider applying surface treatments to the affected decks early in the deck life to minimize the ingress of chlorides into the concrete over time and therefore retard the onset of reinforcement corrosion.

Concrete bridge decks in Utah are experiencing observable deterioration due primarily to freeze-thaw cycles and the routine application of deicing salts during winter maintenance activities. Given the need for increasingly cost-effective strategies for bridge deck maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement (MR&R), the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) initiated this research to ultimately develop a protocol offering guidance as to whether deteriorated bridge decks should be rehabilitated or replaced. While threshold values for various non-destructive condition assessment methods were proposed in earlier UDOT research, this work focused on implementing the recommended test criteria. Twelve bridges were identified by UDOT engineers for inclusion in the study, and data were collected from each deck to determine whether the bridge decks warranted rehabilitation or replacement based on the proposed threshold values. Several evaluation techniques were employed to assess concrete bridge deck condition, including visual inspection, hammer sounding and chaining, dielectric measurements, ground-penetrating radar imaging, resistivity testing, half-cell potential testing, and chloride concentration testing. The condition assessment testing confirmed that chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcing steel is the primary mechanism of deck deterioration and that inadequate cover over the upper steel mat facilitated accelerated corrosion damage in many instances. The bridge deck condition analyses produced from the results of non-destructive testing were compared to the visual inspection ratings assigned to each deck by UDOT. Concrete bridge deck condition data should be collected regularly through inspection and monitoring programs to facilitate prioritization of MR&R strategies for individual bridges and to evaluate the impact of such strategies on the overall condition of the network. Performance indices based on selected condition assessment parameters should be developed for use in bridge management activities, and mathematical deterioration models should be calibrated in order to forecast both network-level and project-level conditions and predict funding requirements for various possible MR&R strategies. Further research, including statistical analyses of the data presented in this report, should be completed to develop relevant mathematical deterioration models for predicting the service lives of concrete bridge decks in Utah.

The objectives of this research were to investigate the sensitivity of two-prong and fourprong resistivity measurements to certain operator-controlled variables and to conduct a direct comparison of the sensitivity of two-prong and four-prong resistivity measurements to certain concrete material variables. Four full-factorial experiments were designed for this research. In the experimentation on operator-controlled variables with two-prong resistivity testing, main effects that are both statistically significant and practically important include hole depth and surface water. In the experimentation on operator-controlled variables with four-prong resistivity testing, probe position, surface water, and prong spacing are all neither statistically significant nor practically important. This high degree of unexplained variation may be of concern to practitioners. In the experimentation on concrete material variables with two-prong and four-prong resistivity testing, main effects that are both statistically significant and practically important include chloride concentration and temperature, both of which exhibit inverse relationships with resistivity. These research findings support several important recommendations for resistivity testing. Operators of the two-prong resistivity device should use an accurately positioned drill stop to ensure that the prepared holes are consistently the correct depth, and they should expect to obtain different values depending on the presence of surface water on the deck surface. Operators considering use of the four-prong resistivity device should not expect the measurements to be sensitive to probe position with respect to rebar, presence of surface water, or prong spacing for conditions similar to those investigated in this research. Operators interested in monitoring resistivity values over time to ascertain material changes in a bridge deck should develop protocols for measuring concrete temperature in the field and subsequently normalizing resistivity measurements to a standard temperature.