Deterioration of Bridge Deck Roadway Members. Part I: Site Investigations

Zenonas Kamaitis

Deterioration of Bridge Deck Roadway Members. Part I: Site Investigations

Authors

Zenonas Kamaitis Dept of Bridges and Special Structures, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio al. 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania

Keywords:

road bridges, surfacing, waterproofing, expansion joints, safety and drainage systems, deterioration, damages, causes and consequences

Abstract

Bridge deck ancillary components such as surfacing, waterproofing, expansion joints, safety barriers, and drainage are important elements of highway bridges. These elements have an influence on either traffic safety and comfortability or the behaviour of the superstructures and substructures of a bridge. When they fail to function properly, the performance of bridges can be seriously affected. In this article deterioration and damages of deck components in highway bridges are analysed. The extent, causes and consequences of deterioration problems were investigated. A database analysis of field inspection results was performed. An investigation revealed that roadway members inevitably deteriorate over time at different rates. Illustrative examples of deteriorated roadway members are presented. The experience shows that lifetime of certain components is only about 5 to 7 years, sometimes less.

References

Castro, M. Structural Design of Asphalt Pavement on Con- crete Bridges. Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol 31, No 4, 2004, p. 695–702.

Szerszen, M. M.; Nowak, A. S. Deterioration Scenarios for Concrete Deck Slabs. In: Proc of the 1st International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management of IABMAS. Barcelona, July 14–17, 2002, p. 8 [CD-ROM].

Wolchuk, R. Structural Behaviour of Surfacings on Steel Orthotropic Decks and Considerations for Practical Design. Structural Engineering International, Vol 12, No 2, 2002, p. 124–129.

Cooper, D. I. Development of Short Span Bridge-specific Assessment Live Loading. In: Proc of the International Symposium “Safety of Bridges”. London, 4–5 July, 1996, p. 64– 89.

Santos Da Silva, J. G. Dynamic Load Factor for High- way Bridge Decks with Pavement Irregularities. In: Proc of IABSE Symposium “Structures for the Future – the Search for Quality”. Rio de Janeiro, Aug 25–27, 1999, p. 681–688.

Au, F. T. K.; Cheng, Y. S.; Cheung, Y. K. Effects of Random Surface Roughness and Long-term Deflection of Prestressed Concrete Girder and Cable-stayed Bridges on Impact Due to Moving Vehicles. Computers and Structures, Vol 79, 2001, p. 853–872.

Park, Y. S.; Shin, D. K.; Chung, T. J. Influence of Roadway Irregularities on Dynamic Impact Factors of Bridges. In: Proc of the 16th Congress of IABSE “Structural Engineering for Meeting Urban Transportation Challenges”. Lucerne, Sept 18–21, 2000, p. 8 [CD-ROM].

Onishi, H.; Matsui, S.; Oe, H. Fatigue Durability of Waterproofing of Bridge Decks under Wheel Loads. In: Proc of the 6th International Conference “Developments in Short and Medium Span Bridge Engineering”. Vancouver, July 31 to Aug 2, 2002, p. 813–820.

Li, E.; Young, W.; Lai, D. Current Development in Bridge Expansion Joint Rehabilitation Strategy in Ontario, Canada, and Its Application in the Rehabilitation of Garden City Skyway, St. Catharines, Ontario. In: Proc of the 6th International Conference “Developments in Short and Medium – Span Bridge Engineering”. Vancouver, July 31 to Aug 2, 2002, p. 891–898.

Ramberger, G.; Robra, J. Structural Bearings and Expansion Joints for Bridges. Structural Engineering International, Vol 13, No 4, 2003, p. 268–270.

Hellmich, A. Road Restraint Systems with Higher and Very High Containment on Bridges. In: Proc of IABSE Symposium “Towards a Better Built Environment – Innovation, Sustainability, Information Technology”. Melbourne, Sept 11– 13, 2002, p. 8 [CD-ROM].

Mancini, G. Safety Barriers for Highway Bridges. Structural Engineering International, Vol 9, No 1, 1999, p. 49–53.

Kamaitis, Z. Repair of Concrete Bridges without Interruption of Traffic. In: Proc of the 16th Congress of IABSE “Structural Engineering for Meeting Urban Transportation Challenges”. Lucerne, Sept 18–21, 2000, p. 8 [CD-ROM].

Kamaitis, Z. Condition State and Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Bridges. Vilnius: Technika, 1995. 182 p. (in Lithuanian).