Abstract
Corrosion of steel reinforcement is one of the primary contributing factors to bridge deck deterioration. To extend the service life of a bridge deck, different corrosion mitigation strategies can be employed including overlays and corrosion mitigation chemicals. Traditionally, deteriorated bridge decks were repaired using localized patches or thin bonded overlays composed of conventional concrete materials. However, UHPC overlays gained traction from the bridge owners in recent years, in part due to their superior mechanical and durability properties. On the other hand, corrosion mitigation chemicals are added to the concrete surface to reduce ingress of deleterious ions and thereby reducing corrosion propensity. This study evaluates the effect of different corrosion mitigation strategies on the bond between UHPC overlay and the substrate concrete. The corrosion mitigation strategies include use of sealers, corrosion inhibitors and overlays by themselves or in conjunction with sealers, corrosion inhibitors or both. Corrosion activity was monitored using half-cell potential and cyclic polarization using standardized test protocols. Furthermore, the effect of corrosion mitigation measures on the bond performance was assessed using direct tension bond testing. UHPC overlays were found to be effective in reducing corrosion rates by more than 50 percent. Sealers and corrosion inhibitors applied to the concrete substrate in combination with an UHPC overlay reduced the corrosion rates even further. However, sealers and corrosion inhibitors appeared to negatively affect bond strength, potentially increasing the likelihood of overlay delamination, and thereby affecting the service life of the bridge deck.
Keywords
UHPC, corrosion, performance, bridge deck.
DOI
10.5703/1288284318169
Recommended Citation
Saladi, Naveen, "Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) Bridge Deck Overlays as a Corrosion Mitigation Strategy" (2025). International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures. 4.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/icdcs/2025/rrm/4
Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) Bridge Deck Overlays as a Corrosion Mitigation Strategy
Corrosion of steel reinforcement is one of the primary contributing factors to bridge deck deterioration. To extend the service life of a bridge deck, different corrosion mitigation strategies can be employed including overlays and corrosion mitigation chemicals. Traditionally, deteriorated bridge decks were repaired using localized patches or thin bonded overlays composed of conventional concrete materials. However, UHPC overlays gained traction from the bridge owners in recent years, in part due to their superior mechanical and durability properties. On the other hand, corrosion mitigation chemicals are added to the concrete surface to reduce ingress of deleterious ions and thereby reducing corrosion propensity. This study evaluates the effect of different corrosion mitigation strategies on the bond between UHPC overlay and the substrate concrete. The corrosion mitigation strategies include use of sealers, corrosion inhibitors and overlays by themselves or in conjunction with sealers, corrosion inhibitors or both. Corrosion activity was monitored using half-cell potential and cyclic polarization using standardized test protocols. Furthermore, the effect of corrosion mitigation measures on the bond performance was assessed using direct tension bond testing. UHPC overlays were found to be effective in reducing corrosion rates by more than 50 percent. Sealers and corrosion inhibitors applied to the concrete substrate in combination with an UHPC overlay reduced the corrosion rates even further. However, sealers and corrosion inhibitors appeared to negatively affect bond strength, potentially increasing the likelihood of overlay delamination, and thereby affecting the service life of the bridge deck.
