Concrete barrier distress in La Grande, Oregon.

747721933Final report.PDFTech ReportOR-RD-08-09RS 500-211RoadsBarriers (Roads)Crash cushionsConcreteEntrained airOregonOregon. Dept. of Transportation. Research UnitBush, Amanda JoyOregon. Dept. of Transportation. Research UnitNTL-OPERATIONS AND TRAFFIC CONTROLS-Traffic Control DevicesNTL-OPERATIONS AND TRAFFIC CONTROLS-OPERATIONS AND TRAFFIC CONTROLSNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-DesignNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-Bridges and StructuresNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-MaterialsUS Transportation CollectionSeveral precast concrete barriers in eastern Oregon were noted to be deteriorating at an advanced rate. The ODOTResearch Unit took several core samples from the barriers and conducted analyses. Petrographic evaluations determinedthat the strongest link between barrier deterioration and any one factor was the amount of entrained air. In general, older,poor-quality concrete, which was continually exposed to freeze-thaw events, exhibited advanced signs of distress