Title:
Long-Term Monitoring of Concrete Bridge Deck in Montana
Author(s):
Nelson
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
ws_S23_Nelson.pdf
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
4/2/2023
Abstract:
Transverse cracking of concrete bridge decks continues to be an issue for the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) but is considered a common issue reported among many state departments of transportation (DOTs). In the last 25 years with the introduction of high-performance concrete (HPC) in bridge decks to lower permeability and with the use of finer ground cements (to increase early age strength gain and construction schedule), the susceptibility of bridge deck cracking has increased. Cracking commonly leads to a reduction in service life and increased maintenance costs, primarily due to accelerated corrosion of reinforcing steel in the deck. Identifying the causes of bridge deck cracking and providing prevention can be complex and challenging but is very important for maintaining longevity of the bridge deck. To assist MDT with diagnosing and mitigating the causes of transverse cracking of bridge decks, WJE implemented a multi-disciplinary approach including a literature review, field inspections, bridge deck instrumentation, laboratory evaluations, and finite element modeling (FEM). From this research, WJE found the primary causes were related to non-uniform moisture gradients, drying shrinkage, and specific winter curing procedures. Based on these findings, WJE recommended improvements to mixture proportions, construction practices, and design considerations.