Evaluation of Elastomeric Concrete in Bridge Expansion Joint Header Repair Applications

010111862005Final Report Sept. 1991 \u2013 Nov. 2004PDFTech ReportFHWA-KS-05-1NEPT 9102Bridge decksCondition surveysElastomersLaboratory testsExpansion jointsMechanical propertiesPolymer concreteBridges and other structuresDesignHighwaysMaterialsI24: Design of Bridges and Retaining WallsI32: ConcreteRepairingRuttingSpallingKansasUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationDistlehorst, JenniferWojakowski, JohnKansas. Dept. of Transportation. Bureau of Materials & ResearchUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionElastomeric concretes were developed to prevent the spalling of the portland cement concrete adjacent to bridge deck expansion joints. Two types of elastomeric concretes were installed on I-135 bridges in Wichita in 1991. These joints and several others on I-135 with both elastomeric and conventional concrete header materials were surveyed annually for the next ten years. Spalling at each joint, rutting of the elastomeric materials and overall condition of the materials were measured and recorded. Laboratory tests of field-cast specimens were performed to determine the mechanical properties of the materials. The results of the tests and surveys show that the elastomeric concretes reduced spalling at bridge expansion joints. However, the joint headers formed of elastomeric concretes were as likely to develop distress as were the portland cement concrete joint headers