Evaluation and determination of optimal MR&R strategies in concrete bridge decks

Bridges, the key links in America's highway system, are deteriorating more rapidly than they are being repaired, rehabilitated, or replaced [Purvis, R.L. (2000). “Integrating Preventive Maintenance Management into BMS” Transportation Research Circular No: 498. Transportation Research Board, pp.1–14.]. Over the years, existing bridges have had various degrees of maintenance to extend the service life. However, as the existing bridges continue to deteriorate, each Department of Transportation (DOT) faces increasing demands on the limited funds available for bridge maintenance. Therefore, the optimal Maintenance, Repair, and Rehabilitation (MR&R) strategy for State DOTs is becoming an increasingly vital issue in almost all jurisdictions. This paper identifies the state-of-art and the state-of-practice of MR&R actions in concrete bridge decks. The Model for Evaluating Maintenance, Repair, and REhabilitation (MEMRRES) developed by Hong [Hong, TaeHoon. (2003). “Evaluation of Maintenance, Repair, and Rehabilitation strategy in concrete bridge deck.” M.S. Thesis, Purdue University, 2003.] is introduced. The MEMRRES model was used to determine the optimal MR&R strategy of concrete bridge decks for 24 State DOTs. The data required for the MEMRRES were collected through a questionnaire survey. Out of the 24 State DOTs, the results for only Missouri DOT are introduced in this paper due to editorial constraints.