Maintenance of concrete bridges

M Sprinkel - Transportation research record, 2001 - journals.sagepub.com
M Sprinkel
Transportation research record, 2001journals.sagepub.com
The principal reason concrete bridges deteriorate is that the reinforcement is damaged by
chloride-induced corrosion. Effective maintenance, for the most part, involves activities
designed to keep chlorides away from the reinforcement. Six maintenance activities help
accomplish this goal: flushing debris and chlorides from decks and pier caps annually,
repairing and sealing joints, sealing cracks, patching potholes, replacing the membrane if
replacing an asphalt overlay, and installing low-permeability overlays.
The principal reason concrete bridges deteriorate is that the reinforcement is damaged by chloride-induced corrosion. Effective maintenance, for the most part, involves activities designed to keep chlorides away from the reinforcement. Six maintenance activities help accomplish this goal: flushing debris and chlorides from decks and pier caps annually, repairing and sealing joints, sealing cracks, patching potholes, replacing the membrane if replacing an asphalt overlay, and installing low-permeability overlays.
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