Sealants, Treatments, and Deicing Salt Practices to Limit Bridge Deck Corrosion KYSPR 10-388

OBJECTIVES: Continuation of an Approved Study Anticipated Completion: FY 12 I. Determine current KYTC practice for applying deicing salts to bridge decks including monitoring deicing materials, methods of deicing application (i .e. wet/dry), application frequency and application rates statewide. Identify candidate bridges to monitor annual deicin g salt application, chloride penetration into bridge decks, resultant deck deterioration (spalling and/or corros ion). 2. Id enti fy sea lants, densifiers and inhibitors used nationwide to protect reinforced concrete bridge decks from chloride induced corrosion. Identify deicing salt substitutes, inhibitors and extenders used to limit deicing sa lt induced corros ion. Survey state SHAs to identi fy treatments/practices that minimize bridge deck exposure to deicing sa lts or to assoc iated damage. 3. Conduct laboratory sa lt-ponding tests of various sealants, densifiers and inhibitors along with salt substitutes, salt inhibitors and extenders to determine which ones are effective for addressing/limiting corrosion of bridge deck reinforcing steel. Conduct laboratory tests of treatments to limit deicing salt use in the experimental projects. 4. Monitor experimental bridge deck treatments to evaluate application procedures for sealants, den sifiers and inhibitors found to be effective in laboratory tests. Apply effective salt substitutes, salt inhibitors or extenders on selected bridges. Measure deicing sa lt impacts on corrosion. Monitor other experimental deck treatments/practices determ ined to be effective in limiting longterm exposure/concrete penetration by deicing sa lts 5. Provide KYTC with recommendations implementing bridge preservation actions including the application of sealers, densifiers and/or inhibitors to bridge decks. That will include guidelines for using those treatments on spec ific categories of bridges (d eterm ined in the study). Additional recommendations will be provided for the use of any effective salt substitutes, inhibitors and extenders. Any related treatments/practices found to be e ffective will also be recommended.