Engineering Commons^™

Extending The Service-Life Of Bridges Using Sustainable And Resilient Abutment Systems: An Experimental Approach To Electrochemical Characterization Of Lightweight Mechanically Stabilized Earth, Fariborz M. Tehrani, Kenneth L. Fishman, Farmehr M. Dehkordi

Mineta Transportation Institute Publications

Bridges are critical components of transportation infrastructure. This research addresses the need to extend the service life of bridges by improving the safety and reliability of bridge abutments and reducing their life-cycle cost and footprints. Mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) is a known strategy to enhance the economy and performance of bridge abutments. In addition, the application of rotary-kiln-manufactured lightweight aggregate backfills improves the performance of MSE bridge abutments with a leaner structural system. Such improvements include a reduction of structural demands due to a lower density, free drainage of granular materials, a high internal friction angle, less settlement with no …

Steel Bridge Coating Inventory For 2022, Christopher Goff, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has replaced the lead-based coatings on many of its steel bridges over the past 30 years. In the 1980s and 1990s, inorganic zinc primers with vinyl topcoats were the go-to option for coating replacement projects. Since 2000, the typical choice for these projects has been organic zinc primers that are part of a two- or three-coat system. Some of these coatings have localized failures in high-stress areas. KYTC’s current inventory of steel bridges numbers over 1,100 structures. Accounting for expected service lives, to properly maintain protective coatings on these bridges will require the Cabinet to …

Assessment Of Deteriorated Structural Concrete To Provide Durable Repairs, Theodore Hopwood, Christopher Goff, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Most of the structural elements on Kentucky bridges are made of reinforced concrete. Many of these elements deteriorate as a result of corrosion of the reinforcing steel caused by carbonation and — primarily — applications of chlorides by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). Corrosion of reinforcing steel is reviewed along with assessment procedures that leverage nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods and related laboratory and field tests. Several maintenance procedures are discussed, including the application of sealers and coatings, patch and major concrete repairs, and electrochemical methods. Incorporating NDE and test results into maintenance procedure selection is discussed. Recommendations are provided on …

Multifunctional Corrosion Control System As A Sustainable Approach For Reinforced Concrete Elements, Homero Castaneda, Miladin Radovic, Brendy Rincon, Oladis Troconis, Arturo Montoya, Changkyu Kim, Loreto Dacio

Data

Corrosion inhibitors can be utilized to decrease the corrosion kinetics and therefore increase the durability of reinforced concrete structures. Recently, a green synthesized organic compound, 1-benzyl-4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole (BPT), was shown to be a successful green organic corrosion inhibitor for mild steel. Studies suggested that the BPT adsorbs chemically onto the steel and acts as a mixed inhibitor, suppressing both the anodic and cathodic corrosion kinetics of steel. In addition, microcapsules have shown to be an efficient way for a controlled inhibitor release in reinforced concrete structures. On the other hand, geopolymers (GPs) comprised of a long range of covalently bonded alumino-silicates, …

Multifunctional Corrosion Control System As A Sustainable Approach For Reinforced Concrete Elements, Homero Castaneda, Miladin Radovic, Brendy Rincon, Oladis Troconis, Arturo Montoya, Changkyu Kim, Loreto Dacio

Publications

Corrosion inhibitors can be utilized to decrease the corrosion kinetics and therefore increase the durability of reinforced concrete structures. Recently, a green synthesized organic compound, 1-benzyl-4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole (BPT), was shown to be a successful green organic corrosion inhibitor for mild steel. Studies suggested that the BPT adsorbs chemically onto the steel and acts as a mixed inhibitor, suppressing both the anodic and cathodic corrosion kinetics of steel. In addition, microcapsules have shown to be an efficient way for a controlled inhibitor release in reinforced concrete structures. On the other hand, geopolymers (GPs) comprised of a long range of covalently bonded alumino-silicates, …

Development Of Corrosion Inhibiting Geopolymers Based Cement For Transportation Infrastructure, Homero Castaneda, Miladin Radovic, Changkyu Kim, Oscar Huang

Data

Geopolymers are gaining attention as affordable, sustainable, and eco-friendly replacement for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in concrete civil structures. More importantly, Geopolymer-based Cement (GPC) provide sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to OPCs as GPC can be processed at room temperatures from aqueous solutions of waste materials (e.g., fly ash) or abounded natural sources (e.g., clay) and thus reduce significant CO₂ production associated with processing of OPC. Although, a lot of work has been done on improving mechanical properties of GPC over the last two decades, there are only a few studies on effects of GPC concrete on steel rebar …

Development Of Corrosion Inhibiting Geopolymers Based Cement For Transportation Infrastructure, Homero Castaneda, Miladin Radovic, Changkyu Kim, Oscar Huang

Publications

Geopolymers are gaining attention as affordable, sustainable, and eco-friendly replacement for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in concrete civil structures. More importantly, Geopolymer-based Cement (GPC) provide sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to OPCs as GPC can be processed at room temperatures from aqueous solutions of waste materials (e.g., fly ash) or abounded natural sources (e.g., clay) and thus reduce significant CO₂ production associated with processing of OPC. Although, a lot of work has been done on improving mechanical properties of GPC over the last two decades, there are only a few studies on effects of GPC concrete on steel rebar …

Longer Service Life Bridge Coatings, Danny Wells, Theodore Hopwood, Bobby Meade, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has maintenance oversight responsibilities for approximately 1,100 steel bridges; it also helps local governments and other entities with maintenance painting on other steel bridges. Because maintaining steel bridges is costly, Cabinet officials asked Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) researchers to identify materials and methods that will prolong their service lives. Steel bridges are uniquely vulnerable to deterioration resulting from exposure to atmospheric conditions (e.g. moisture, ultraviolet rays) and chlorides, the latter due to the application of deicing materials. This study examines two strategies for extending service lives. First, it appraises a novel method of hot dip …

Prototype System For Implementing The Ultrasonic Guided Wave Method On The Field, Ece Erdogmus, Eric Garcia, Michael Schuller, Ahmad Shoaib Amiri

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

This report presents the latest improvements in a recently developed nondestructive testing (NDT) technique for early detection of various flaws such as corrosion, delamination, and concrete cracking in reinforced concrete (RC) bridge decks. The method, named Ultrasonic Guided Wave Leakage (UGWL) method by the developing authors, involves use of internal steel reinforcement (rebar) as a wave guide for transmitting ultrasonic waves through the system and the measurement of leaked energy at the surface of the concrete. This report builds upon the progress made in the previously published phases of the project (M029 and M066), and aims to further explore the …

Research Of The Possibility Of Using Waste Of Paint And Varnish Materials For Anti-Corrosion Protection Of Metal Parts Of Transport Equipment, Aida Barxanadjyan, Ravshan Hakimov, Botir Ibragimov

Journal of Tashkent Institute of Railway Engineers

This work is devoted to the corrosion protection of metal parts of transport equipment. The purpose of this study is the use of waste paint and varnish materials (PVM) to obtain anti-corrosion coatings of metal parts. PVMwaste is the loss of paints obtained when painting automobiles. The epoxy polyurethane oligomer synthesized by us was used as a binder resin. During the research, the physicochemical properties of the waste were studied the components were selected to obtain anticorrosive mastic. The resulting mastic was tested in laboratory conditions in accordance with the standards for adhesion, chemical resistance, film strength in bending and …

Sustainability-Based Long-Term Management Of Bridges Under Multi-Hazard Exposure, Mohamed Soliman

Data

Corresponding data set for Tran-SET Project No. 17STOKS01. Abstract of the final report is stated below for reference:

"Bridges are under deterioration due to various mechanical and environmental stressors. Hydraulic-related hazards (e.g., flood and scour), aggressive environmental conditions, and seismic events (e.g., earthquake) are recognized as the most significant threats to the safety of bridges. In traditional risk assessment methods for structures susceptible to damage due to floods and other natural hazards (e.g., corrosion and seismic events), future hazard predictions are conducted using historic return periods and climate records. However, recent increase in flood intensity in central-southern states indicate that …

Self-Healing Microcapsules As Concrete Aggregates For Corrosion Inhibition In Reinforced Concrete, Homero Castaneda, Marwa Hassan, Miladin Radovic, Jose Milla

Data

Corresponding data set for Tran-SET Project No. 17CLSU08. Abstract of the final report is stated below for reference:

"Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures are vital to the US’s civil infrastructure for their strength and versatility. Unfortunately, RC elements deteriorate rapidly when exposed to corrosive environments. One possible solution is to extend the life of RC elements and systems using microencapsulated corrosion inhibitors to reduce the rebar corrosion rate. The capsules house an anodic corrosion inhibitor agent including calcium nitrate (CN) and triethanolamine (TEA). The integration of such microencapsulated materials will enhance the durability and extend the useful life by controlling the …

Sustainability-Based Long-Term Management Of Bridges Under Multi-Hazard Exposure, Mohamed Soliman

Publications

Bridges are under deterioration due to various mechanical and environmental stressors. Hydraulic-related hazards (e.g., flood and scour), aggressive environmental conditions, and seismic events (e.g., earthquake) are recognized as the most significant threats to the safety of bridges. In traditional risk assessment methods for structures susceptible to damage due to floods and other natural hazards (e.g., corrosion and seismic events), future hazard predictions are conducted using historic return periods and climate records. However, recent increase in flood intensity in central-southern states indicate that future hazard occurrence rate may not necessarily follow past trends. Accordingly, current design, assessment, and management methodologies should …

Self-Healing Microcapsules As Concrete Aggregates For Corrosion Inhibition In Reinforced Concrete, Homero Castaneda, Marwa Hassan, Miladin Radovic, Jose Milla

Publications

Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures are vital to the US’s civil infrastructure for their strength and versatility. Unfortunately, RC elements deteriorate rapidly when exposed to corrosive environments. One possible solution is to extend the life of RC elements and systems using microencapsulated corrosion inhibitors to reduce the rebar corrosion rate. The capsules house an anodic corrosion inhibitor agent including calcium nitrate (CN) and triethanolamine (TEA). The integration of such microencapsulated materials will enhance the durability and extend the useful life by controlling the corrosion precursors and the corrosion process during damage evolution. Therefore, this work aims to develop and characterize the …

A Programmatic Approach To Long-Term Bridge Preventive Maintenance, Danny Wells, Bobby W. Meade, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

State transportation agencies use cost-effective preventive maintenance (PM) programs to preserve existing roadway systems, slow down their deterioration, and improve their functional condition. Currently, KYTC’s bridge inventory includes approximately 10,000 structures, and by 2018, most of these structures will have been in use for at least 50 years. Because there is insufficient funding available to pursue a large-scale bridge replacement program, it is critical for the Cabinet to prolong the lives of its bridges by using economical strategies. This report provides guidance that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) can use to develop and implement a statewide bridge PM program. Drawing …

Thin Film Concrete Coatings, Bobby W. Meade, Danny Wells, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KTC researchers obtained eight types of concrete coatings to assess their performance and resistance to chloride penetration. Researchers evaluated eight of the systems in the field and seven in the laboratory. In the field, coatings were applied to a bridge pier that had suffered degradation and chloride contamination. This site will undergo long term monitoring in order to thoroughly evaluate the coating systems. Adhesion of all products in both field and laboratory application was sufficient to provide a durable coating, and ranged from approximately 500 psi to 1,600 psi. Researchers also tested color and gloss changes, which are early indicators …

Chloride Contamination Remediation On Steel Bridges, Bobby W. Meade, Christopher Goff, Sudhir Palle, Theodore Hopwood Ii

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Researchers evaluated 32 steel surface preparation methods to determine how effectively they remove chloride from corroded chloride-contaminated steel panels. Wet methods proved more effective than dry methods. The three most effective wet methods injected mineral slag abrasives in a water stream and resulted in less than 1% chlorides remaining. Most dry surface preparation methods left significantly more chloride contamination after surface preparation. The three most effective dry methods used multiple blast cleaning cycles. These methods approached the effectiveness of the best wet methods, with 1.6 to 2.0% chlorides remaining. The least effective surface preparation was a single abrasive blast cleaning …

Evaluation Of The Use Of Painted And Unpainted Weathering Steel On Bridges, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Sudhir Palle, Bobby W. Meade, Rick Younce

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KTC researchers studied the use of unpainted weathering steel on bridges, using findings of inspections performed on Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) bridges constructed with both painted and unpainted weathering steel as well as laboratory testing. Laboratory tests were conducted on test panels of conventional and weathering grades of steel to determine the performance of barrier and zinc-based coatings over abrasive-blasted substrates of those steel types in both the new and corroded conditions. The report provides the following recommendations for the use of painted and unpainted weathering steel on Kentucky bridges based upon both the field and laboratory findings:

• KYTC should …

Phase I Inspection Of The Stay Cable System On The Us 231 William H. Natcher Bridge Over The Ohio River, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Sudhir Palle, Danny Wells, Bobby W. Meade, Jared Fairchild, Christopher Goff

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The US 231 Natcher Bridge was opened in 2002. By 2006 cracking was observed in the plastic piping that protected the stay cable strands from the environment at both the deck and tower anchorages. Over time the extent of cracking increased and an investigation was initiated to assess the types of deterioration impacting the cables, their causes and their impacts on the integrity of the stay cables.

From 2012-2015, a series of in-depth field inspections were performed using visual and nondestructive testing. Most of this work focused on the piping at the deck anchorages. The inspections disclosed voids in cable …

Evaluation Of Deterioration Of Structural Concrete Due To Chloride Intrusion And Other Damaging Mechanisms, Sudhir Palle, Brian K. Howell, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Bobby W. Meade

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Kentucky's bridges continue to age and experience distress. The intrusion of chlorides into concrete remains the primary mechanism for deterioration. It leads to reinforcing steel corrosion that damages the adjoining concrete structure. This study found problematic chloride concentrations in Kentucky concrete bridge elements (decks, pier caps, abutments). Chloride levels have been found at concentrations sufficient to initiate reinforcing steel corrosion. In some cases, chloride concentrations were sufficient to cause accelerated corrosion and produce major section loss of reinforcing steel. Advanced stages of corrosion such as these typically require costly repairs and maintenance to extend the service life of bridges.

Field …

Gfrp Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks (Kyspr 96-169), David Deitz, Issam Harik, Hans Gesund

Issam E. Harik

This report investigates the application of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars in concrete bridge decks as a potential replacement or supplement to conventional steel rebars. Tests were conducted to determine the material properties of the GFRP reinforcement, and experiments were performed to study aspects of GFRP rebar placement in actual bridge decks. These included observation of GFRP rebar handling characteristics and worker response during construction. Load tests of full-scale reinforced concrete specimens were conducted to evaluate the characteristics of three reinforcing schemes: (1) an epoxy coated steel (ECS) reinforcing scheme; (2) a GFRP reinforcing scheme, and (3) a Hybrid …

New Coatings For Bridges (Over-Coat Systems), Sudhir Palle, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Bobby W. Meade

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KYTC sought to identify new coatings technologies consistent with overcoating that offer enhancements in terms of ease of application and performance. KYTC contacted paint manufacturers to obtain sample coating systems for characterization by the KYTC Division of Materials and accelerated performance testing by Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC). A total of 14 coating systems from five manufacturers underwent performance testing according to ASTM D5894.

Safety Stock Estimation Of Unit Load Devices For International Airline Operations, Hua-An Lu, Chien-Yi Chen

Journal of Marine Science and Technology

Unit load devices (ULDs) are used to load air cargo and passengers’ checked baggage for wide-bodied aircraft operations. Since ULDs are reusable at the destination, airlines can invest in an appropriate fleet size for their requirements. The estimation of safety stock levels for every operating airport is a premeditated task because airlines must prepare enough devices for the outbound consignments of each flight. The variance of the number of used devices for each arrival and departure flight will influence the stock level of an airport. For scheduled international services, this study proposes an analytic method based on a cyclically time-sequenced …

Nondestructive Method To Detect Corrosion Of Steel Elements In Concrete, Saeed Javidi Niroumand, Aaron Jon Yakel, Atorod Azizinamini, Marcelo Dasilva

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Corrosion Evaluation Of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls, Tony L. Beckham, Liecheng Sun, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Numerous reinforced walls and slopes have been built over the past four decades in Kentucky, the United States, as well as worldwide. Tensile elements used in constructing low-cost reinforcing walls and slopes consist of metal polymer strips or grids. Although reinforced structures have been used extensively, the effects of corrosion on the metal tensile elements are unknown. Mechanically stabilized earth walls are expected to remain stable for many decades. An examination of the effects of corrosion of metal tensile elements used to construct these walls can provide invaluable data regarding the longevity of reinforced walls and slopes. Four mechanically stabilized …

Gfrp Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks (Kyspr 96-169), David Deitz, Issam E. Harik, Hans Gesund

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report investigates the application of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars in concrete bridge decks as a potential replacement or supplement to conventional steel rebars. Tests were conducted to determine the material properties of the GFRP reinforcement, and experiments were performed to study aspects of GFRP rebar placement in actual bridge decks. These included observation of GFRP rebar handling characteristics and worker response during construction. Load tests of full-scale reinforced concrete specimens were conducted to evaluate the characteristics of three reinforcing schemes: (1) an epoxy coated steel (ECS) reinforcing scheme; (2) a GFRP reinforcing scheme, and (3) a Hybrid …

Field Inspections Of High-Performance Bridge Paints, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Edgar E. Courtney, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Paint inspections were performed on 19 steel bridges. Those structures employed various high-performance sacrificial and barrier paints. Those paints were used singly and in combination. The surface preparation varied for some of those paint systems.

The inspections included four girder bridges that had original paint and 15 others, mostly trusses that were repainted. Kentucky Transportation Center personnel also monitored several bridges during repainting operations. The inspections revealed that the original paint was in excellent condition. Most of the coatings on the repainted bridges were performing well. Some of those bridges have some spot corrosion. Only one of those bridges showed …

Calcium Nitrite As A Corrosion Inhibitor In Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks, Theodore Hopwood Ii, David Q. Hunsucker, Edgar E. Courtney

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The use of calcium nitrite es a corrosion-inhibiting admixture in reinforced concrete hes been studied on two bridges· the Kentucky 152 Bridge in Washington County and the Gose Road Bridge in Boyle County. Calcium nitrite was added to concrete used in the slabs, diaphragms and barriers of the KY 152 bridge and only in the slab of the Good Road bridge.

Construction of both structures was monitored in the fall of 1986. Placement of concrete on both bridges was satisfactory; however, problems were experienced in finishing the concrete. The finishing problems were related to: 1) concrete 'stickiness', 2) use of …

Inspection, Prevention, And Remedy Of Suspension Bridge Cable Corrosion Problems, Theodore Hopwood Ii, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report discusses methods for visually inspecting cable suspension bridges for corrosion damage. The report discusses how to plan and perform such work, including the locations on cables where corrosion damage is likely to be detected. The report also provides recommendations for assessing the condition of suspension bridge wire. Recommendations also are included for remedial cable repair work should corrosion damage be detected.

Corrosion Of Cable Suspension Bridges, Theodore Hopwood Ii, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report discusses corrosion problems encountered on the cables of suspension bridges. A historical review is given of past cable suspension bridge corrosion and related laboratory work.

Findings of inspections of suspension bridges at Maysville, KY, Covington, KY, and Portsmouth, OH, are discussed. Recommendations are presented.