Method for Determining Durability of a Bridge Superstructure

The objective of the study is to develop a method for determining the durability of a reinforced concrete girder of a superstructure when exposed to aggressive environments.

The scientific substantiation of the method is based on the laws of establishing a uniform distribution of atmospheric gas concentrations among homogeneous parts of reinforced concrete and determining the depth of their diffusion. To describe the penetration rate, analytical equations are applied to determine the depth of diffusion of atmospheric gases into concrete. When the diffusion products reach the main reinforcement, corrosion processes start, which cause a decrease in the effective area, and, therefore, a loss of the bearing capacity of the girder of the superstructure during operation of the bridgework.

The proposed calculation method has allowed to build a regression model for assessing durability of reinforced concrete structures depending on the diffusion of aggressive environments and on a variable number of days per year with precipitation. Analysis of the obtained results has shown that when the diffusion products of atmospheric gases reach the main reinforcement, processes of irreversible changes (irreversible decrease) in the bearing capacity of the superstructure begin. It has been established that the service life before failure when exposed to halogens and hydrohalic acids may not exceed 30 years. The application of the method makes it possible to determine the residual service life of the superstructure based on assessment of the bearing capacity resource and to develop regulatory documents on timing of repair work.

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