01551928

Component

Weathering steel is commonly used as a cost-effective alternative for bridge superstructures, as the costs and environmental impacts associated with the maintenance/replacement of paint coatings are theoretically eliminated. The performance of weathering steel depends on the proper formation of a surface patina, which consists of a dense layer of corrosion product used to protect the steel from further atmospheric corrosion. However, the development of the weathering steel patina may be hindered by environmental factors such as humid environments, wetting/drying cycles, sheltering, exposure to de-icing chlorides, and design details that permit water to pond on steel surfaces. Weathering steel bridges constructed over or adjacent to other roadways could be subjected to sufficient salt spray that would impede the development of an adequate patina. Addressing areas of corrosion on a weathering steel bridge superstructure where a protective patina has not formed is often costly and negates the anticipated cost savings for this type of steel superstructure. Early detection of weathering steel corrosion is important to extending the service life of the bridge structure; however, written inspection procedures are often not available to inspectors. This study focused on the identification of specific bridge environments and/or members that may be vulnerable to chloride contamination, the selection of practical inspection techniques to evaluate the quality of the patina and/or the level of chloride contamination, evaluation of the effectiveness of water washing, and the development of a general maintenance prioritization for weathering steel bridges.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AHD30 Structures Maintenance.

01550057

15-2447

English

14p

2015

Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; Photos; References; Tables

Corrosion; Evaluation and assessment; Inspection; Maintenance; Performance; Steel bridges; Weathering steel

Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; Planning and Forecasting; I34: Steels and Metals; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2015 Paper #15-2447

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 30 2014 12:52PM