Concrete Bridge Service Life Extension Using Sealers in Chloride-Laden Environments

The early deterioration of concrete structures in chloride-laden environments is well known. The severity of the deterioration of bridges in the United States has resulted in the development of a large number of corrosion protection and rehabilitation methods for service life extension. For bridge engineers to make best use of public funds, service life, service life extension, and method application costs are needed. A methodology based on diffusion properties is presented for determining the service life (reapplication period) and service life extension of concrete bridge surface treatments and sealers. Consideration is given to traffic wear, degradation by ultraviolet light, and the ability of sealers to reduce the rate of ingress of chlorides into the concrete. Service life extension periods are presented for four sealers: solvent and water-based epoxies, silane, and siloxane. Service life extension periods consider the severity of the environment and the bridge member exposure conditions.