Performance of Epoxy Coated Rebars in Bridge Decks
Performance of Epoxy Coated Rebars in Bridge Decks

Author: J. L. Smith

Publisher:

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 100

ISBN-13:

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Epoxy coated rebar (ECR) was introduced in the mid 1970s as a means to minimize concrete deterioration caused by corrosion of the reinforcing steel and to extend the useful life of highway structures. This report summarizes the results of investigations performed by highway agencies in the United States and Canada, academia, and the Canadian Strategic Highway Research Program to evaluate the performance of ECR. A total of 92 bridge decks, two bridge barrier rails, and one noise barrier rail was evaluated in the States of California, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, and the provinces of Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Ontario.

Corrosion Investigation of Four Bridges Built Between 1973 and 1978 Containing Epoxy-coated Reinforcing Steel
Corrosion Investigation of Four Bridges Built Between 1973 and 1978 Containing Epoxy-coated Reinforcing Steel

Author: Paul D. Krauss

Publisher:

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 178

ISBN-13:

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Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., performed an in-depth field investigation into the performance of epoxy-coated reinforcing bars in four bridge decks. The study included two decks built on steel girders and two built on precast concrete girders. Two decks had been overlaid with a 2-in. low slump overlay. The bridges were all built between 1973 and 1978. Visual crack and delamination surveys were performed. Core samples were drilled for determination of chloride concentrations and to examine the embedded steel. Polarization resistance, half-cell, and AC impedance measurements were taken, but were not conclusive. Further development is needed. Laboratory testing included inspection of the coating, holiday and thickness tests, coating adhesion tests, and underfilm contamination.

Summary Report on the Performance of Epoxy-coated Reinforcing Steel in Virginia
Summary Report on the Performance of Epoxy-coated Reinforcing Steel in Virginia

Author: Richard E. Weyers

Publisher:

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 32

ISBN-13:

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From 1992 to 2006, the Virginia Transportation Research Council and its contract researchers conducted a long-term systematic series of investigations to evaluate the corrosion protection effectiveness of epoxy-coated reinforcement (ECR) and to identify and recommend the best and most cost-effective corrosion protection system for Virginia bridge decks. This report summarizes this research and subsequent efforts to implement alternative reinforcement. The work was conducted, and is reported, in this general order: review of historical performance of ECR, ECR performance in solutions and concrete, and preliminary field investigations; investigation of field performance of bridge decks built with ECR; assessment of alternative corrosion protection methods; development of probabilistic service life models for bridge decks and laboratory assessment of ECR cores extracted from bridge decks to determine service life extension; efforts to implement alternative reinforcement. The series of studies demonstrated that the epoxy coating on ECR naturally degrades in the highly alkaline moist environment within concrete. The subsequent loss of bond, coupled with the inevitable flaws in the coating induced by construction, leads to an estimated service life benefit of ECR of as little as 3 to 5 years. Further, non-critical decks, beams, and substructure elements not exposed to marine environments, particularly on secondary and rural routes, can be cost-effectively constructed and maintained using low-permeability concrete and black reinforcing bar. However, because the Federal Highway Administration requires the use of corrosion-resistant reinforcement, and because ECR cannot provide adequate corrosion protection for structures designed for a 100-year+ service life as currently recommended by FHWA, the report recommends that the Virginia Department of Transportation amend its specifications regarding the use of ECR to require the use of corrosion-resistant metallic reinforcing bars such as MMFX2, stainless steel clad, and solid stainless steel.