Maintenance Related Subjects

16:00 16:30

Geotechnical investigation related

to maintenance of bridges
Corrosion of concrete and steel
Concrete
Steel

Maintenance at approach section

Settlements of approach embankments on soft ground
Differential settlements between piled and non-piled
sections
Slopes
Retaining wall

Corrosion of concrete
Materials to be tested

Investigation items

groundwater

pH, sulfate, chloride

soil

pH, sulfate, chloride

Aggregate

Salt, alkali-aggregate
reaction

pH is an indication of acidity.
CaCo3 -- CaSO4 -

Volume increase

Salt attacks re-bar in concrete, increasing volume of steel, and cracking concrete
Silica in the aggregate is attacked by Alkali in cement

Groundwater Sampling
Special sampler

Pump out
water first

Casing
pipe

Aquifer (non
aggressive)
Aquifer
(aggressive)

Soil and water samples for chemical tests

Physically disturbed samples such as SPT
samples acceptable
Do not chemically disturb.
Exposure to atmosphere long time
Exposure to rain
Long time storage

BS8004:1988

Corrosion of steel
Steel corrosion due
to exposure to
Acid
Oxygen
Electric field

Usually
no soil
investigation
recently

Measures against
corrosion
Coating
Sacrifice layer
Electric current

approach

Approach Section
approach

Cut

Fill and
pavement

Firm
ground

Soft clay

Geotechnical investigation

Settlement of approach embankment: good prediction of settlements and counter

measures before embankment construction is important

Preloading, surcharge, vertical drains, sand compaction piles, etc.

Viaduct or embankment piles instead of embankment

This portion
settles with
time

approach

Fill and
pavement

Firm
ground

Piled section

Soft clay

Non-piled section
gap

good prediction of settlements and

counter measures before embankment
construction

Preloading and surcharge sometimes

difficult
sand compaction piles, stone columns

cut

fill
Groundwater levels after
construction

Fill slope may

fail control of
groundwater

Retaining wall
long term
stability of
anchors.

Original groundwater levels

Cut slopes often collapse during or after heavy rain.

Control of ground water - horizontal drains

Protection of toe ----------- gabion wall

Protection of slope -------- nails, anchors, rock bolts

Pot holes on pavements

high groundwater level