Title:
Prestressed Concrete Bridge Durability in Delaware
Author(s):
Charles W. Dolan and Chai Hu
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
13
Issue:
9
Appears on pages(s):
47-53
Keywords:
bridges (structures); cracking (fracturing); deterioration; durability; performance, prestressed concrete, structural design; General
DOI:
Date:
9/1/1991
Abstract:
The state of Delaware has 68 prestressed concrete bridges and 745 bridges of all types. Inspection records for the state were reviewed to compare the deterioration of prestressed concrete bridges. Follow-up field reviews of several bridges were performed to correlate deterioration with the inspection ratings. The study concluded that prestressed bridges with design or construction deficiencies showed rapid deterioration in the first ew years of service. The remaining bridges, representing the majority of installations, showed extremely durable behavior. Sources of early deterioration were identified and judged to be nonrecurring conditions. Thus, it is concluded that well-designed and constructed prestressed concrete bridges should remain in good condition and not succumb to accelerated deterioration.