Performance of Uncoated Weathering Steel Bridge Inventories: Methodology and Gulf Coast Region Evaluation
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 21, Issue 12
Abstract
Although the majority of uncoated weathering steel (UWS) structures are performing well when designed and maintained in accordance with existing recommendations, exceptions to this trend exist. Additionally, the guidance on UWS use is largely qualitative. For these reasons, a data-driven method for assessing deterioration of a large sample of bridges as a function of environment was formulated, piloted, assessed, and validated. Key aspects of the methodology include the development of a database that uses graphical information systems to quantify the climate of hundreds of structures, a statistically driven process for selecting a representative sample of bridges for further evaluation, and a review of bridge performance based on owners’ evaluations and independent field evaluations. As a result of applying this methodology to UWS bridges with proximity to the Gulf Coast, environments consistently resulting in satisfactory performance were quantified; a rare combination of severe proximity to the coast, humidity, and atmospheric concentrations of chloride was also quantified and correlated with the small number of bridges with overall inferior corrosion performance in these marine environments.
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Acknowledgments
This work was funded by the Federal Highway Association (FHWA) Long Term Bridge Performance (LTBP) Program through Rutgers University, Contract Number DTFH61-08-C-00005. In-kind support was also provided by the transportation agencies that contributed their personnel’s time in compiling requested data and provided significant logistical support for the field evaluations. The contributions of the following individuals are also appreciatively acknowledged: the FHWA and LTBP staff who provided thoughtful input on this work, including Justin Ocel who served as the technical point of contact for this project; the LTBP state coordinators who made this work possible through their invaluable data and logistical contributions; Ben Mearns and Shizeng Li for their assistance and guidance in developing the GIS database; Steven Chase for his input on quantifying the bridge environments; Gary Wenczel, Nakul Ramanna, S. K. Lee, and Andres Roda for conducting the field work; and Rovshan Mahmudov for his guidance and oversight in conducting the IC tests.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 21 • Issue 12 • December 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 21, 2015
Accepted: Apr 25, 2016
Published online: Jun 30, 2016
Discussion open until: Nov 30, 2016
Published in print: Dec 1, 2016
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