Determination of the end of functional service life for concrete bridge components
<p>The transportation engineering community of the United States faces a tremendous problem: the gradual deterioration of the nation's bridges. A major component of the overall bridge deterioration problem is the corrosion-induced deterioration of reinforced concrete bridge components tha...
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| Format: | Others |
| Language: | en |
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Virginia Tech
2014
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10919/42956 http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-06082010-020522/ |
| Summary: | <p>The transportation engineering community of the United States faces a tremendous problem: the gradual deterioration of the nation's bridges. A major component of the overall bridge deterioration problem is the corrosion-induced deterioration of reinforced concrete bridge components that are exposed to de-icing salts. The progression of events resulting from corrosion of the reinforcing steel includes cracking, delamination, spalling, and patching of the surface concrete.</p>
<p>
Bridge components reach the end of their functional service life when the level of damage warrants rehabilitation. The objective of this study was to determine the end of functional service life for concrete
bridge decks, piers, and abutments by quantifying terminal
levels of physical damage. The approach for quantifying
terminal damage levels involved obtaining recommendations
from state Department of Transportation (DOT) bridge engineers via an opinion survey.</p>
<p>
A field study of 18 existing concrete bridges that
had been designated for rehabilitation was conducted to
develop concrete bridge component maps showing areas of
physical damage. Deck damage maps were produced using a
ground-based photogrammetry system developed in this
study, while pier and abutment damage maps were drawn by
hand in the field. Survey Kits based on the component
damage maps were distributed to bridge engineers in 25
states that use de-icing salts. The engineers evaluated
the maps and recommended when each component should be, or
should have been, rehabilitated~ Based on the engineers'
responses, linear regression prediction models were
developed to relate the recommended bridge component
rehabilitation time point to the physical damage level.
Based on the prediction models, two viable terminal damage
levels for concrete bridge decks, and a partial terminal
damage level for concrete bridge piers, were quantified.</p> === Master of Science |
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