Recommended Citation
Tarasova, A., Kanakamedala, D., Seo, J., Varma, A. H., & Connor, R. J. (2024). New repair strategies for life-cycle extension of corroded steel girder bridges (Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2024/15). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284317748
DOI
10.5703/1288284317748
Abstract
Steel girder ends are susceptible to corrosion damage due to deicing salts, water, and other contaminants leaking from failed expansion joints. When corrosion becomes significant, it leads to a reduction in the sectional properties of steel girders and consequently reduces bearing and shear resistance. Conventional repair methods, although effective, require substantial time and resources to complete, causing public inconvenience from necessary traffic closures. Therefore, there is a need for practical, rapid, and robust repair methods suitable for implementation by local Department of Transportation (DOT) maintenance personnel. In this study, five innovative repair methods were systematically evaluated through a selection process called the House of Quality Matrix. After completing the comprehensive evaluation and additional numerical simulations, the "sandwich panel" repair method was selected for further investigation. The "sandwich panel" repair method encased the corroded region with a filler material reinforced by threaded rods. Two thin steel plates installed on both girder sides served as stay-in-place formwork. This expedited the installation process and eliminated the labor-intensive steps of jacking, welding, and formwork disassembly, thus making the repair more cost-effective and less time-consuming.
The structural performance of the repair method was evaluated experimentally by conducting seven large-scale tests. Various test parameters were considered in the tests, including (1) threaded rod layout, (2) filler material, and (3) support condition. The experimental results indicated that the method was effective in restoring their original design strength. A parametric study complemented the experimental evaluation, using the finite element models benchmarked with experimental results. Design guidelines and recommendations were developed based on the experimental and numerical results.
Report Number
FHWA/IN/JTRP-2024/15
Keywords
steel bridges, corrosion, bridge rehabilitation, bridge maintenance, bridge preservation
SPR Number
4635
Performing Organization
Joint Transportation Research Program
Sponsoring Organization
Indiana Department of Transportation
Publisher Place
West Lafayette, Indiana
Date of this Version
2024