Asphalt Surfaces on Steel Bridge Decks

Abstract

A variety of materials have been used for wearing surfaces on steel bridge decks. The requirements for these paving materials are identified, the various asphalt-based materials that have been used are described, a description of the construction process is provided, and the expected field performance and maintenance requirements for the most common materials used are discussed. The selection of the wearing surface should be based on life-cycle costs, not just initial construction costs. Life-cycle-cost calculations must include consideration of initial construction costs, expected life, maintenance and rehabilitation costs, and user delay costs associated with the removal and replacement of failed surfaces. The reliability, durability, and skid resistance of the wearing surface are very important to prolongation of the life of the surfacing and minimization of delays to users caused by frequent replacements.

Mechanical 3D characterization of epoxy asphalt concrete for pavement layers of orthotropic steel decks

“…Such value resulted slightly higher than the limit suggested by some authors [2,10,21], but it was low enough to assure the perfect deck waterproofing. Fig.…”

“…The EAC mixture was manufactured in the laboratory using a specific two-phase EA binder, where the continuous phase (part A) was a thermoset epoxy and the discontinuous phase (part B) was bitumen [2]. According to the manufacturer specifications [18], the two components were mixed in a proportion 100/585, that means 14.6% of part A and 85.4% of part B.…”

“…Epoxy asphalt (EA) is a waterproofing bi-component material in which the continuous phase is a thermosetting epoxy resin and the discontinuous phase is bitumen [2,3]. Depending on the purpose, EA can be used both as binder for the deck pavement mixture, called epoxy asphalt concrete (EAC), and as a bonding coat between steel deck and pavement layers [4].…”

Viscous, damping, and mechanical properties of epoxy asphalt adhesives containing different penetration‐grade asphalts

“…Asphalt mixtures are often used as surface layers on orthotropic steel bridge decks to provide a comfortable surface for skid resistance and to transfer traffic loads to the underlying steel deck . Because of the significant differences in the physical and mechanical properties between the surface layers and the steel deck, the interfacial bonding between the asphalt overlay and the steel deck has always been a matter of great concern .…”

Experimental Evaluation of Shear Resistance of Improved Steel–Asphalt Interfaces

“…mastics. Other techniques for orthotropic deck surfacing involve the laying of specific wearing courses, such as epoxy asphalt and guss asphalt concretes, which allow the performance requirements to be met for durability, reliability, skid resistance, and bonding at the interface with the steel plate (6,7). Alternatively, mechanical reinforcements, such as steel nets or bars, can be welded to the steel surface to improve the bonding with the upper asphalt pavement (6,8).…”