Guide To Remediate Bridge Deck Cracking TR-782

(2022) Guide To Remediate Bridge Deck Cracking TR-782. Transportation, Department of

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Abstract

Bridge decks are known to experience early-age cracking that occurs immediately after or within a few years of construction. Earlyage bridge deck cracks are undesirable because they increase deck maintenance needs, and thereby increase costs and traffic disruptions as well. To address this issue, Iowa DOT funded this study to develop a comprehensive guide for characterizing bridge deck cracks and select optimal crack remediation options. The scope of the work included a literature review of crack remediation practices and the decision trees/matrices used by state departments of transportation (DOTs) in the Midwest, as well as the California, Florida, New York State, and Virginia DOTs. Literature from the nuclear and pavement industries was also included. Service life modeling of generic Iowa bridge deck was completed to compare service life estimates of uncracked bridge decks to that of bridge decks with a variety of cracking scenarios and repairs and treatments identified in the literature review. Shallow (1-inch deep) and deep (to rebar) cracks and crack densities between 0.00 ft/ft2 and 1.00 ft/ft2 were modeled. Penetrating sealers, flood coats, hot-mix asphalt overlays with waterproofing membranes (HMAWM), thin polymer overlays (TPO), and premixed polymer concrete (PPC) overlays were considered in the models. The results of the service life modeling and costs from the literature review were used to perform life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) comparing the crack remediation treatments across the various cracking scenarios. Based on the findings of the literature review and results of the service life models and LCCA, a set of data-driven decision trees was developed for selecting effective and cost-efficient repairs or treatments to address early-age cracks in bridge decks between 0 and 2 years in age, at 5 years of age, and at 10 years of age. The utility of the decision trees was demonstrated using an example bridge in Iowa. Implementation of the decision trees in the Iowa Bridge Design Manual and inclusion of the crack repairs and treatments in the Construction Manual or Special Provisions will help the Iowa DOT reduce the impact of early-age bridge deck cracking on deck life and subsequently reduce life-cycle and bridge maintenance costs.