EVALUATION OF STAINLESS STEEL REINFORCEMENT, CONSTRUCTION REPORT

Stainless steel reinforcement has greater corrosion resistance than that of the conventional reinforcement. In this project, bridge A6059, the first in Missouri utilizing stainless steel reinforcement in the deck, was constructed, along with bridge A6060, a control bridge using conventional rebars. An evaluation of the performance of stainless steel reinforcement will be conducted and will focus primarily on the durability and field performance of the stainless steel reinforced deck in comparison to that of the epoxy coated steel reinforced deck. The bridges will be researched utilizing non-destructive tests to monitor salt application and chloride penetration in correlation to presence of (or lack of) corrosion. Fiber optic chloride sensors were incorporated into both bridge decks. Cylinders were taken and tested for chloride permeability, and chloride samples were taken from the cylinders to get a base line chloride content of the concrete. In addition, half-cell potentials were taken and will continue to be taken to determine any corrosion. Maintenance costs will be documented in an effort to determine and compare life-cycle costs.