Citation

Crumpton CF, Bukovatz JE. Transp. Res. Rec. 1974; 500: 25-31.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1974, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Kansas, like other other snow-belt areas, has experienced increased corrosion of bridge deck reinforcing and structural steel as the use of de-icing salts has increased. Spalls and hollow planes in the concrete deck form in areas of shallow steel as a result of the corrosion. Some localized small hollow planes, however, are associated with reactive aggregates and also speed up the corrosion process. The copper-copper sulfate half-cell potential detection method has been found useful to predict future hollow plane or spall development related to corroding reinforcing steel. Even new bridges may show a small amount of active corrosion as measured with the half-cell equipment. Much structural steel corrosion seems to be related to the quality of workmanship in preparation and painting and to de-icing salts rather than to the quality of the paint. Steel girders have been observed to act as sacrificial anodes, forming magnetite as they corroded but protecting the reinforcing steel from corrosion. The concrete deteriorated anyway and had to be removed and recast. Concrete deterioration associated with the corrosion of reinforcing steel can be reduced or delayed by increasing the depth of cover over the top reinforcement. Structural steel corrosion can be reduced by proper preparation and quality inspection during painting operations. Carrying salty meltwater away from the steel will also help.