abstract
- This guide outlines preservation treatments, including deck overlays, surface sealers, and deck repairs, that can extend the life of bridge decks in service, and presents the factors in deck capacity and durability that can influence the identification of candidates for deck preservation. The guide is designed for use on decks in fair or good condition with significant remaining service life. Highway bridge decks often are exposed to severe loading conditions, both in terms of live load application and environmental exposure that may include the application of de-icing chemicals that can accelerate deck deterioration. Agencies implementing preservation treatments for highway bridge decks appropriately can expect to extend the service life of those decks and optimize preservation budgets. The guide includes over 20 highway bridge deck preservation treatments, outlining conditions when the treatment is appropriate and constraints on the treatments usage.