Future Deck Replacement

A complete replacement of a reinforced concrete deck slab may be required during the life span of a composite steel bridge. Forethought during the initial design of the bridge could provide the details and requirements necessary for a future deck replacement at the initial design and construction stage, as opposed to costly modifications at the time of deck replacement. The initial bridge layout and design may consider a specific future deck replacement sequence to be shown on the contract plans, and analyzed as part of the bridge design. A section of deck designed for positive moment between adjacent girders may become a cantilevered slab due to the future deck slab removal and replacement sequence. A future deck replacement sequence such as this could be facilitated by considering this cantilever condition during the initial bridge and deck slab design. Additional mild reinforcement to compensate for the negative moment resulting from the temporary cantilever condition could be added during initial design and construction. Alternatively, a staged overhang may be supported with a temporary framing bracket (knee-brace) installed at the time of deck replacement.