January 12, 1999
TYPICAL BRIDGE DAMAGE
Following is a partial listing of common bridge problems that might be encountered by highway personnel, along with the appropriate action to be taken.
PROBLEM / WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE / ACTION BY MCI/FSTLoose/damage deck joints / -Loose bolts on cover plates / -Call RBT/RBM
-Tighten bolts. If bolts are stripped then RBT will repair.
-Cover plate damaged and/or projecting into traffic / -Remove cover plate – do not dispose as it may be re-usable.
-Loose or damaged sections of joint extrusion, projecting into traffic / -Remove damage section with hacksaw or cutting torch. Careful not to damage rubber seal.
-Ripped or torn joint seals
-Seals protruding above extrusion
-Finger joints tight or vertically misaligned / -Call RBT/RBM
-Check bearings under joints – may be over extended or failed
Severely deflected culverts / -Bump or sag in road wear surface over culvert
-Downward deflection of culvert roof or inward deflection of side walls in excess of 15% of design shape.
- / -Call RBT/RBM
-Check if culvert is presently strutted.
-Replace missing struts if only minor repairs.
Culvert Erosion
(Minor) / -Erosion at upstream or downstream ends of culverts causing loss of fill material around pipe or degradation of streambed
-Erosion of clay seal material / -Call RBT/RBM
-Replace missing fill material with new structural fill or replace missing rock rip rap
Note – instream repairs will require an environmental permit obtained by the RBT
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PROBLEM / WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE / ACTION BY MCI/FSTHigh load damage to concrete girders (Minor) / -Small patch of broken concrete
-No broken rebar stirrups visible
-No stressing strands visible / -Attend to immediate safety concerns (i.e. clean highway of debris/concrete)
-Call RBT/RBM
-Remove loose concrete
-Inspect for damaged stirrups or strands
-Secure remaining fractured concrete with wire mesh.
-Look for indications of what caused damage (parts in ditch/median etc.)
-Confirm vertical clearance signs are posted in advance and that they match signs on structure.
High load damage to concrete girder (Major) / -Large areas of broken concrete
-Broken rebar stirrups
Broken stressing strands
Girder sag / -Attend to immediate safety concerns (i.e. clean highway of debris/concrete).
-Close lane above damaged girder to live loads
-Call RBT/RBM
-Install barricades – signs-flashers
-Close lane below damaged girder. Remove loose concrete and secure remaining concrete by attaching wire mesh
-Look for indication of what caused damage.
-Confirm vertical clearance signs are posted in advance and that they match signs on structure.
High load damage to steel girders / - Distorted – bent – torn - flange or web of steel girders
-Broken - ripped bolts or rivets.
-Broken concrete above girder / -Attend to immediate safety concerns (i.e. clean highway of debris/concrete).
-Close lanes above damage to live loads- install barricades – signs – flashers
-Call RBT/RBM
-Secure/remove loose concrete.
-Look for indication of what caused damage.
-Confirm vertical clearance signs are
-posted in advance and that they match signs on structure.
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PROBLEM / WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE / ACTION BY MCI/FSTDamaged bridge rails / -Complete rail section missing
-Damaged posts/broken concrete at anchors / -Attend to immediate safety concerns
-Remove damaged sections if hazardous
-Call RBT/RBM
-Remove loose concrete if lane below
-Patch over area with flex beam
-Provide barricades – signs – flashers as required
Ponding of water on bridge decks – causing traffic hazard / -Ponded water extending past shoulder and into driving lanes / -Check for presence of deck drains in area of ponding.
-Clean/open drains
-If no drain present, mark area on curb and document. Contact RBT to arrange for installation of retro - fit drains
Approach bumps – causing impact loading on bridge / -Settlement of approach road at bridge ends
-Potholes in ACP wear surface / -Call RBT/RBM
-Arrange for installation of warning signs
-Arrange for approach paving or pothole patching.
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