Use 64 Year Old Concrete Bridge Pier for New Bridge
Use 64 Year Old Concrete Bridge Pier for New Bridge
(OP)
Is there a good resource for evaluating the structural capacity of a 64-year old reinforced concrete bridge pier? So far, we have identified the following issues: 1)are there discontinuities (cracks, fractures, cold joints, etc.,) where corrosion of reinforcing steel could have compromised the steel; 2) what is the compressive strength of existing concrete (this will probably vary from face to depth of pier); 3) what is the present state of concrete (chemical, and thin section review); and 4) has the steel degraded? Thanks for your resonses. Rockchip






RE: Use 64 Year Old Concrete Bridge Pier for New Bridge
RE: Use 64 Year Old Concrete Bridge Pier for New Bridge
If that is not good, you could use impact-echo test equipment to go all the way thru the structure to determine the strength of the concrete.
You could also do freeze-thaw and chloride tests on additional concrete cores. No need to do chloride tests if there is no reinforcement.
Make sure there actually is reinforcement. ;>)
RE: Use 64 Year Old Concrete Bridge Pier for New Bridge
During your analysis be sure to consider the 1940 material properties and construction techniques (examples: rebar steel strength, concrete properties may vary - mixed on job site, by the contractor?, probably no air entrainment, etc.)
I have rejected more than one signed, sealed report because the consultant used "modern" specs to evaluate an older structure.
RE: Use 64 Year Old Concrete Bridge Pier for New Bridge