Evaluating Arkansas Weathering Steel Bridge Performance

Abstract

Weathering steel enhances corrosion-resistant steel features over conventional steel when a patina properly forms on the weathering steel surface. The patina is a dense protective oxide film layer that develops on the steel member surface. The patina defends the steel from corrosion by preventing moisture, oxygen, and contaminant penetration. However, long periods of moisture and deicing chemicals applied during wet wintry conditions hinder proper patina formation. Weathering steel bridges in Arkansas are uncoated and exposed to ambient conditions that may promote steel corrosion. This paper presents the approach used by the authors to relate weathering steel bridge corrosion to bridge condition in order to prioritize bridges for remediation based on their oxide film deterioration severity. The study protocol used was to review uncoated weathering steel (UWS) bridges and prioritize bridges based on their need for immediate remediation. The potential for incorporating the use of a small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for future bridge inspections is discussed. The research work in this paper serves as a basis for establishing bridge inspection guidelines to identify and grade oxide film degradation for bridge condition and performance.