Laboratory and Field Evaluation of Commercially Available Rapid-Repair Materials for Concrete Bridge Deck Repair

Abstract

Extensive investigation of rapid-repair materials is of utmost importance in limiting the impact of repairs on vehicles traveling on bridges as well as in selecting suitable materials with acceptable mechanical properties and durability requirements. The objective of this study was to evaluate eight commercial cementitious rapid-repair materials for application to concrete bridge decks in Utah. A robust laboratory study to quantify mechanical performance and durability was been conducted, accompanied by evaluation of field performance. More than 450 specimens were prepared according to manufacturer recommendations and tested at ages of 4 h, 24 h, 7 days, and 28 days to measure their setting time, compressive and splitting tensile strength, elastic modulus, autogenous and drying shrinkage, restrained ring shrinkage, surface resistivity, and slant/shear bond strength. To evaluate the field performance of the materials, repair patches on the SR-193 bridge over US-89 in Layton, Utah, were inspected three times over a one-year period and crack developments on these patches were recorded. The purpose of the study was to identify the most influential factors in the success or failure of deck repair materials and to determine which tests are most helpful in the qualification of deck repair materials. The results will assist transportation officials, such as state departments of transportation (DOTs), in identification and qualification of materials to support successful and long-lasting bridge deck repairs.