Title: The Performance of Epoxy Coated Reinforcement - Experience of The Ontario Ministry of Transportation

Author(s): F. Pianca, H. Schell, and G. Cautillo

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 234

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 373-398

Keywords: chloride ion; corrosion; deicing salts; epoxy-coated reinforcement (ECR); highway bridges; reinforced concrete

DOI: 10.14359/15947

Date: 3/22/2006

Abstract:
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has a mandate to specify cost-effective methods and materials for the construction and maintenance of provincial highway structures. In support of this mandate, the Bridge Durability Work Group initiated a performance evaluation of epoxy-coated reinforcement (ECR) in the Ontario bridge environment. Findings of the investigation, which are summarized in this report, strongly indicate that the long-term performance of the ECR is not likely to provide the corrosion resistance or associated maintenance free service life that was originally anticipated by the ministry. Several Ministry structures constructed with ECR have already been rehabilitated, before achieving even a 20-year service life. The paper details the results of numerous in house field investigations to assess the condition of ECR in-service in typical Ontario highway bridges. The paper also presents the findings of field and research studies carried out by independent consultants and academics on behalf of the ministry, to examine ECR performance and to recommend alternative approaches for corrosion protection and structure condition assessment.