Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 55-01. State DOT Policies and Practices on the Use of Corrosion Resistant Reinforcing Bars

Throughout the United States there is widespread use of deicing chemicals during the winter months to prevent the buildup of snow and ice on roadway surfaces and bridge deck slabs. While deployment of deicing chemicals is an effective strategy for maintaining safe, reliable, ice-free roadway surfaces, this practice can lead to chloride contamination in bridge components. Bridges can also be subject to natural sources of chlorides, particularly in coastal and marine environments where components may be exposed to seawater, spray, and mist. The affected bridge components include foundation, substructure, and superstructure elements. Chlorides migrate through the concrete cover and cracks and become concentrated at critical levels. As a result, corrosion of the reinforcement is initiated. This results in concrete spalls, costly repairs, and eventually replacement of bridge components. To meet this challenge, we can design and construct bridges using corrosion resistant reinforcing bars, which will delay the onset of corrosion and the subsequent deterioration of bridge decks and other structural elements. Material producers have been meeting this challenge by developing bars with improved corrosion resistance by providing bars with different coatings, steel compositions, and alternate materials. The objective of this synthesis is to document policies and practices used by state departments of transportation (DOTs) related to the use of corrosion resistant reinforcing bars.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5468

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $55000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 20-05, Topic 55-01

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20001

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Larson, Sandra

• Performing Organizations:
  ,   Germany 

  University of Delaware, Newark

  Department of Civil Engineering
  301 DuPont Hall
  Newark, DE  United States  19716
• Principal Investigators:

  McConnell, Jennifer

• Start Date: 20230427
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Chlorides; Corrosion resistance; Deicing chemicals; Highways; Reinforcing bars; State departments of transportation; State of the practice
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01884673
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 20-05, Topic 55-01
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Jun 6 2023 5:02PM