DETERMINATION OF END OF FUNCTIONAL SERVICE LIFE FOR CONCRETE BRIDGE DECKS

Abstract

The end of functional service life for concrete bridge decks was estimated by quantifying the terminal levels of physical damage that warrant deck overlay. The study focused specifically on decks in snowbelt states, which can suffer accelerated deterioration as a result of expansive reinforcing steel corrosion that is initiated by chloride deicing salts. The terminal damage levels were determined from an opinion survey of state department of transportation bridge engineers, who evaluated plan-view maps of existing decks showing areas affected by cracks, delaminations, spalls, asphalt patches, and concrete patches and recommended when each deck should have been or should be rehabilitated. Linear regression models were developed to relate the engineers' responses to the level of physical damage. The terminal damage levels determined from the recommended model define the end of functional service life as a range of percent damage in the worst traffic lane.