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Chapter 2. Accomplishments
For New Bridges
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- The preferred primary corrosion-protection systems in many
states has been fusion-bonded epoxy coated rebars (ECR), which have
been used in approximately 20,000 reinforced concrete bridge decks.
This rebar has performed very well in alleviating the problem of
corrosion-induced deteriorations of concrete bridge decks. It is
estimated that its use in the last 25 years has saved the taxpayers
billions of dollars so far.
With continuing improvements in the American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and American Society
for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications for ECR, this
corrosion system will become even better. The improvements involved
all possible aspects of the fabrication of ECR, including
certification of coating plants, proper storage of coating powder
at the plants, restriction on surface imperfections on the bars,
removal of dust and salt from the surface of the bars prior to
coating, and better quality control of thickness, continuity,
flexibility, adhesion, etc. In addition, requirements related to
job-site storage and handling of the coated bars have also been
established. All of these will result in better ECR and more
durable new concrete structures. Ongoing efforts to identify more
effective organic coatings will also lead to more
corrosion-resistant steel bars in the future.
- To provide even longer service life to the concrete decks; G
years or longer— without any need to repair corrosion-induced
concrete damage, a number of alloys and cladding have been
developed for rebars. Most notable are solid stainless steel 316
rebars and stainless steel clad black bars, which have performed
exceedingly well in accelerated screening corrosion tests. Both of
these two new alternative reinforcing bars have the potential to
provide an excellent corrosion protection system, albeit at a
higher initial cost.
- The combined use of ECR and a corrosion inhibiting admixture,
such as calcium nitrite, could serve as a very good corrosion
protection system. However, the stability of this inhibitor is
still under study. In addition, research efforts are under way to
identify new inhibitors that are more effective than calcium
nitrite.
- The combination of high temperature (38° C) and an intermediate
level of humidity or moisture (75 percent) have been identified as
environmental conditions that lead to high corrosion rates for
steel in concrete. It was found that the use of a low water-cement
ratio, incorporation of mineral admixture and proper selection of
cement type and aggregates contribute significantly to producing
low-permeability concretes.
- For the protection of high-strength, seven-wire strands encased
in ducts, mix designs for corrosion-resistant grout for filling the
ducts have been developed. In addition, an accelerated corrosion
test method has been developed for evaluating new grout mixes.
These developments have become the basis of a new specification to
be published by the Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) in 1998.
- Prompted by the recent sudden collapse of two post-tensioned
bridges in the United Kingdom and one in Belgium, several different
nondestructive inspection techniques were carefully evaluated to
identify those that may be suitable for detecting voids in
post-tensioned ducts. From these, the impact-echo technique was
selected for improvement; then, it was successfully evaluated in
the field. The equipment for this technique is now commercially
available. Further research is under way to develop a complementary
magnetic-based, nondestructive technique for assessing section loss
in the high strength steel strands in the ducts. It is anticipated
that when used in combination, the impact-echo and the
magnetic-based techniques will allow complete inspection of
post-tensioned systems, reducing the likelihood of any sudden
collapse of post-tensioned bridges in the United States.
For Rehabilitation of Existing Concrete Bridges
- Cooperative research with industry and states in the
development of durable anodes, monitoring devices, installation
techniques, etc. has led to application of impressed-current
cathodic protection systems on bridge decks as a routine
rehabilitation technique.
- For cathodic protection of substructure members, especially
those in a marine environment, two very promising sacrificial anode
systems have been developed. Initiatives in the industry and in
some states, in cooperation with FHWA, have led to further
developments and identification of anodes suitable for
impressed-current cathodic protection of inland concrete
substructures.
- Through extensive fundamental research and evaluation of
cathodic protection systems that have been installed, significant
advances have been made in the technology for cathodic protection
of prestressed concrete components. Concerns about a loss of bond
between the prestressing steel and concrete and possible hydrogen
embrittlement (from overprotection of the prestressing steel) have
been alleviated by the establishment of criteria for qualification
of prestressed concrete bridge components for cathodic
protection.
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