Epoxy Coated Rebar Bridge Decks - Expected Service Life


1.1 History

Introduction

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has been designing and constructing bridges dating back to the early 1900s. Original bridge designs during these times included the use of uncoated steel rebar (commonly referred to as “black rebar”) within concrete bridge decks. Around 1975 the first use of epoxy coated rebar (ECR) was implemented into concrete deck design. Adding an epoxy coat to the rebar helps establish a barrier that attempts to block the penetration of water, oxygen, and other elements that promote corrosion of the rebar. In late 1980 the Engineering Operations committee approved the use of epoxy coated rebar for all bridge decks. The committee noted in the memorandum that all jobs starting in December of 1980 will conform to this directive (Appendix Fig 5-1).






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