ABSTRACT
In bridges with a defective sealing, chloride ions can migrate into the concrete, initiate and catalyse the corrosion of the reinforcement and thus threaten the durability of the construction. The corrosion of the reinforcement can only be seen on the surface of the bridge when a high degree of impairment is already reached. Consequently, at that state, comprehensive building operations are necessary, which lead to traffic obstructions and thus to economic losses. In the context of the joint research project “Intelligent, multi-functional textile reinforced concrete surface for bridges – SMART-DECK” – an innovative, multifunctional and thin interlayer is actually developed, which will provide three functions: an all-over realtime humidity-monitoring; a preventive cathodic corrosion protection, which can be adjusted by sections and a strengthening reinforcement of bridges with an insufficient load-bearing capacity.
A sustainable and efficient transport infrastructure becomes more and more important because of the increasing traffic density. Damages on bridges lead to a reduced service life and to long-range problems. In the context of the project an innovative, multifunctional and thin (approx. 35 mm) interlayer for bridges will be developed, which will provide significant benefits in comparison to the state of the art for new bridge constructions as well as for existing bridges. By means of the monitoring system damages in the sealing layer are recognized early and, combined with the cathodic corrosion protection, traffic obstructions are prevented.
The renewing of the bridge deck sealing has not to be carried out immediately after an alarm value has been reached, but can be postponed to periods with little traffic. All three functions – the monitoring system, the preventive cathodic corrosion protection and the reinforcement- are realized by textile reinforcement, which consists of carbon meshes and a new developed mortar. Thus it is possible that Smart-Deck does not increase the dead load of the structure or at least not significantly. The aim of Smart-Deck is to extend the durability of bridge constructions and reduce economic losses which emerge from traffic delays because of comprehensive building operations. Furthermore despite the higher initial investments the life cycle costs of bridges can be reduced due to fewer maintenance intervals. The structure of Smart-Deck. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315207681/cd556cd4-4dcf-4efe-8e29-56fc67b8bfbd/content/fig354_1.tif"/>
