Original Scope: Deterioration of concrete bridge decks due to corrosion of steel reinforcement is a long-known cause of limited-service life and increased maintenance costs of bridge structures. To address these issues bridge owners have implemented a variety of strategies such as the use of fiber-reinforced concrete, performance-based concrete mixes, FRP composite reinforcement, modified curing regiments, deck sealers, shrinkage reduce admixtures, partial or full precast decks, and prestressed concrete. Agencies are anxious to identify appropriate strategies based on environmental variables and service demands that will extend the service life and save significant costs by reducing the rate of concrete deck deterioration, thereby delaying costly major rehabilitation and replacement activities caused by corrosion.
This scan will identify lessons learned from construction of bridge deck projects that utilize innovative materials and strategies. The information collected will allow States to consider future approaches to design bridge decks to provide better durability and service life for the decks of their structures.
Implementation and Impact
In April 2025, TRB hosted a webinar based on the outcomes of this scan entitled, Innovations in Concrete Bridge Deck Design, Construction, and Materials. The webinar explored innovative practices being implemented across the U.S. to enhance bridge deck durability and serviceability. Presenters discussed strategies to mitigate concrete deck deterioration caused by steel reinforcement corrosion, and share insights on materials, design techniques, and construction methods that improve longevity.
Scan chair, Donn Digamon, provided perspectives on the scan outcomes:
Scan Members
- Donn Digamon, Georgia DOT, Scan Chair
- Bijan Khaleghi (retired), Washington State DOT
- Hannah Cheng, New Jersey DOT
- Trey Carroll, North Carolina DOT
- Terry Koon, South Carolina DOT
- Edward Lutgen, Minnesota DOT
- Cheryl Hersh Simmons, Utah DOT
- Don Nguyen-Tan, Caltrans
- Pete White, Indiana DOT
- Kevin Pruski, Texas DOT
- Scott Walls, Delaware DOT
- Rick Liptak, Michigan DOT
- Harry White II, New York State DOT
- Linh Warren, FHWA
- Pinar Okumus, SME
Ready Results Brief
Workshop Participants
- Caltrans
- Florida DOT
- Iowa County Engineer’s Assoc Service Bureau
- Kansas DOT
- Michigan DOT
- New York State DOT
- Oklahoma DOT
- Pennsylvania DOT
- Texas DOT
- Utah DOT
- Virginia DOT
- Washington State DOT
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