Performance of protective coatings for bridge decks is evaluated. Applications to bridges on the New York State highway system from 1961 through 1967 included 1) surface overlays, 2) membranes between the structural slab and bituminous wearing course, and 3) surface sealants. Overlays and membranes consisted of epoxies, polyesters, polyurethanes, latexes, neoprenes, silicone rubbers, and asphalt cutbacks. Surface sealants included silicones, distillate oils, and linseed oil. None of the surface overlays lasted more than 2 to 3 yr. However, a flexible polyester resin with fiber glass has provided satisfactory service for 1-1/2 yr and will remain under observation. Leakage of box-girder bridges with a membrane was primarily due to shear-key construction (since modified), while the same materials applied to composite bridges were associated with leakage that could not be explained. A more comprehensive survey of membranes is planned. Silicone and distillate oil sealants on non-air-entrained concrete did not improve long-term durability. Air-entrained concrete, both with and without linseed oil treatment, showed no evidence of deterioration after 4 yr of exposure.

At head of title: National Cooperative Highway Research Program.

This synthesis will be of interest to research, specifications, materials, design, and construction engineers; contract and specification administrators; agency project managers and staff; and concrete bridge deck construction contractors. This synthesis describes the state of the practice with respect to the development and present status of waterproofing membranes for concrete bridge decks. This report of the Transportation Research Board describes the use of waterproofing systems applied to new bridge decks and the rehabilitation of deteriorated concrete bridge decks. In addition, this synthesis describes current practice with regard to methods for assessing the effectiveness of membranes, criteria for use, installation practices, and factors that affect the performance of waterproofing systems in new construction and rehabilitation. Suggestions for future research are also included.

- Bridge type, behaviour and appearance David Bennett, David Bennett Associates · History of bridge development · Bridge form · Behaviour - Loads and load distribution Mike Ryall, University of Surrey · Brief history of loading specifications · Current code specification · Load distribution concepts · Influence lines - Analysis Professor R Narayanan, Consulting Engineer · Simple beam analysis · Distribution co-efficients · Grillage method · Finite elements · Box girder analysis: steel and concrete · Dynamics - Design of reinforced concrete bridges Dr Paul Jackson, Gifford and Partners · Right slab · Skew slab · Beam and slab · Box - Design of prestressed concrete bridges Nigel Hewson, Hyder Consulting · Pretensioned beams · Beam and slab · Pseduo slab · Post tensioned concrete beams · Box girders - Design of steel bridges Gerry Parke and John Harding, University of Surrey · Plate girders · Box girders · Orthotropic plates · Trusses - Design of composite bridges David Collings, Robert Benaim and Associates · Steel beam and concrete · Steel box and concrete · Timber and concrete - Design of arch bridges Professor Clive Melbourne, University of Salford · Analysis · Masonry · Concrete · Steel · Timber - Seismic analysis of design Professor Elnashai, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine · Modes of failure in previous earthquakes · Conceptual design issues · Brief review of seismic design codes - Cable stayed bridges - Daniel Farquhar, Mott Macdonald · Analysis · Design · Construction - Suspension bridges Vardaman Jones and John Howells, High Point Rendel · Analysis · Design · Construction - Moving bridges Charles Birnstiel, Consulting engineer · History · Types · Special problems - Substructures Peter Lindsell, Peter Lindsell and Associates · Abutments · Piers - Other structural elements Robert Broome et al, WS Atkins · Parapets · Bearings · Expansion joints - Protection Mike Mulheren, University of Surrey · Drainage · Waterproofing · Protective coating/systems for concrete · Painting system for steel · Weathering steel · Scour protection · Impact protection - Management systems and strategies Perrie Vassie, Transport Research Laboratory · Inspection · Assessment · Testing · Rate of deterioration · Optimal maintenance programme · Prioritisation · Whole life costing · Risk analysis - Inspection, monitoring, and assessment Charles Abdunur, Laboratoire Central Des Ponts et Chaussées · Main causes of deterioration · Investigation methods · Structural evaluation tests · Stages of structural assessment · Preparing for recalculation - Repair and Strengthening John Darby, Consulting Engineer · Repair of concrete structures · Metal structures · Masonry structures · Replacement of structures