Pocket Guides

POCKET GUIDE A User’s Guide to Polyester Polymer Concrete Bridge Deck Overlays

This guide describes the use of the Polyester Polymer Concrete (PPC) overlay system with High Molecular Weight Methacrylate (HMWM) healer/sealer primer. When installed properly, this system provides for long-term preservation of Portland cement concrete bridge decks. A PPC overlay serves as a preservation or a rehabilitation treatment, significantly extending the life of bridge decks.

Download A User’s Guide to Polyester Polymer Concrete Bridge Deck Overlays (.pdf)

POCKET GUIDE A User’s Guide to Latex Modified Concrete Bridge Deck Overlays

This guide is developed to encourage a better understanding of the installation process for Latex Modified Concrete (LMC) overlay systems. When installed properly, these systems provide long-term preservation of concrete bridge decks. The
LMC overlay can serve as either a preservation or rehabilitative treatment. The bridge deck must be appropriately prepped ahead of the LMC overlay. The concrete is typically batched and dispensed on-site with a mobile volumetric-type mixer. A
saturated surface dry (SSD) condition, with or without a bonding grout, is required ahead of the placement. The LMC system is most normally placed 1¼ to 3 inches in nominal thickness, although thicker applications may be used. The application of an
LMC overlay requires a sound substrate to achieve optimal performance.

Download A User’s Guide to Latex Modified Concrete Bridge Deck Overlays (.pdf)

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POCKET GUIDE A User’s Guide to Low Slump Concrete Bridge Deck Overlays

This guide was developed to encourage a better understanding of the installation process for a Low Slump Concrete (LSC) overlay system. When installed properly, this system provides for the long-term preservation of concrete bridge decks. The
LSC overlay can serve as either a preservation or rehabilitative treatment. The bridge deck is prepped ahead of the LSC overlay. The LSC is typically batched at an on-site plant and dispensed through buggies or a stationary or mobile volumetric-type
mixer. Depending on the preparation method and overlay type, a saturated surface dry (SSD) condition and/or a bonding grout may be required ahead of the placement. The LSC overlay is most normally placed 1¾ to 4 inches in thickness, although
thicker applications may be used. The application of an LSC overlay requires a sound substrate to achieve optimal performance.

Download A User’s Guide to Low Slump Concrete Bridge Deck Overlays (.pdf)

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POCKET GUIDE A User’s Guide to Supplemental Cementitious Material Concrete Bridge Deck Overlays

This guide is developed to encourage a better understanding of the installation process for the various Supplemental Cementitious Materials Concrete (SCMC) Overlay systems. Supplemental cementitious materials include Microsilica Concrete (MSC), Ready-mix Supplied High-Performance Concrete (RSC), Fly Ash Concrete (FAC) or Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag Concrete (GGBFSC). When installed properly,
these systems provide long-term preservation of concrete bridge decks. The SCMC overlay can serve as either a preservation or rehabilitative treatment. The bridge deck is prepped ahead of the concrete overlay. The concrete is typically batched at a concrete plant and dispensed with a ready-mix truck. Depending on the preparation method and overlay type, a saturated surface dry (SSD) condition and/or a bonding grout may be required ahead of the placement. The SCMC overlay system is most normally placed 2 to 4 inches in thickness, although thicker applications may be used. The application of an SCMC overlay requires a sound substrate to achieve optimal
performance.

Download A User’s Guide to Supplemental Cementitious Material Concrete Bridge Deck Overlays (.pdf)

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POCKET GUIDE A User’s Guide to Ultra-High Performance Concrete Bridge Deck Overlays

This guide was developed to encourage a better understanding of the installation process for the Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) overlay system. When installed properly, this system provides for the long-term preservation of concrete
bridge decks. An UHPC overlay can serve as either a preservation or rehabilitative treatment significantly extending the life of an existing infrastructure. The bridge deck must be appropriately prepared ahead of the UHPC overlay installation. The UHPC is typically batched at an on-site plant and dispensed through buggies or mobile drum type mixers. Depending on the preparation method, a saturated surface dry (SSD) condition is required ahead of the placement. The UHPC overlay is most normally placed between 1.5 to 4 inches in thickness. The application of a UHPC overlay requires a sound substrate to achieve optimal performance.

Download A User’s Guide to Ultra-High Performance Concrete Bridge Deck Overlays (.pdf)

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POCKET GUIDE A User’s Guide to Maintenance and Repair of Bridge Bearings

This bridge bearing pocket guide has been developed to provide a summary of the preservation actions for both preventive maintenance and repair options. This guide
describes steel (sliding, rocker and roller) and elastomeric bearings but does not cover the preservation actions of complex or less commonly used bearings, such as nested roller bearings or High Load Multi-Rotational bearings (e.g., pot, spherical or disc bearings). The focus of this guide is on bearing preservation actions that might typically be performed by DOT maintenance staff.  However, some bridge owners may consider replacing bearings if their preservation would not be cost effective, especially considering ancillary costs such as maintenance of traffic.

Download A User’s Guide to Maintenance and Repair of Bridge Bearings (.pdf)

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POCKET GUIDE A User’s Guide to Removal and Replacement of Bridge Coatings

This guide has been developed to encourage a better understanding of the process to completely remove and replace bridge coatings for the structural steel elements of bridges in service. The guide describes how to plan and execute a coatings removal and replacement operation with an emphasis on the three primary activities of containment, surface preparation and painting. This guide does not cover shop applied coatings or spot painting operations, however much of the information presented represents best practices for all bridge coating work.

Download A User’s Guide to Removal and Replacement of Bridge Coatings (.pdf)

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POCKET GUIDE A User’s Guide to Bridge Cleaning

This guide is to inform the reader of cleaning methods appropriate for the removal of debris and chemicals, natural or manufactured, that can accumulate on a bridge. The guide describes how to plan and execute a bridge cleaning operation considering best practices and introduces the reader to environmental protection, maintenance of traffic and safety requirements. The removal of animals from the structure and debris within the waterway are not within the scope of this guide.

Download A User’s Guide to Bridge Cleaning (.pdf)

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POCKET GUIDE A User’s Guide to Thin-Polymer Bridge Deck Overlay System

The contents of this guide on Thin-Polymer Bridge Deck Overlay Systems reflect the views of the Bridge Preservation Expert Task Group, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official view or policies of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The content does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. FHWA does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers’ names appear herein solely because they are considered essential to the object of this report.

Download A User’s Guide to Thin-Polymer Bridge Deck Overlay Systems (.pdf)

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POCKET GUIDE A User’s Guide to Concrete Bridge Deck Patching

This guide has been developed to provide a better understanding of the process to patch concrete bridge decks. The guide describes how to plan and execute a concrete deck patching operation with an emphasis on identifying repair areas, surface preparation, and placing, finishing and curing deck patch material. The best practices presented in this guide will help minimize potential premature failure of bridge deck patches and contribute to a successful deck patching operation.

Download A User’s Guide to Concrete Bridge Deck Patching (.pdf)

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POCKET GUIDE A User’s Guide to Spot, Zone, and Overcoating Existing Bridge Coatings

This guide is designed for bridge preservation practitioners undertaking spot, zone and overcoat painting projects. These coating strategies can extend the service life of the original coating and are normally simpler to implement than full removal and replacement. For this reason, they can offer economic and environmental advantages when site-specific details are appropriate. Properly specified and applied coatings exhibit maximum corrosion protection. Defects in the coating system will lead to premature corrosion of the steel. Corrosion is accelerated by increased temperatures, higher relative humidity (or exposure to moisture), and the presence of pollutants such as soluble salts. Owners utilize spot, zone and overcoating strategies to reduce overall costs associated with maintaining a steel bridge structure. Owners should consider life cycle costs when contemplating a coating remediation strategy.

Download A User’s Guide to Spot, Zone, and Overcoating Existing Bridge Coatings (.pdf)

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POCKET GUIDE A User’s Guide to Repair of Bridge Concrete Substructure Elements

This guide is developed to provide a better understanding of the process to repair bridge concrete substructures. This guide is limited to the most common repairs for concrete bridge elements and provides checklists for various elements that comprise the substructure of a bridge. The best practices presented in this guide will help minimize potential premature failure of concrete substructure repairs and contribute to preserving and extending the service life of the bridge. Appropriate personal protective equipment and providing for a safe work zone are not specifically identified in the guide but are required before undertaking any of the work presented in the guide.

Download A User’s Guide to Repair of Bridge Concrete Substructure Elements (.pdf)

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