Corrosion Protection Systems for Bridge Stay Cables and Anchorages

Abstract Over the last 20 years, cable stay bridges have become increasingly popular for long and medium span crossings. Cable stay bridge construction developed after World War II and in conjunction with segmental techniques, has been used for prestressed concrete box girder bridges. New design concepts and construction processes are now making modem cable stay bridges an economically viable alternative for even intermediate span bridges. These developments coupled with the desired aesthetic appearance of the cable stay design will increase the use of cable stay bridges for the 1990's. One of the biggest potential problems for the cable stay bridge is that of possible corrosion of the stay cables and their anchorages. Single barrier and more recently various types of multi-barrier corrosion protection systems are in use. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sponsored an investigation study, Research Contract No. DTFH61-89-C-00016 awarded to Corrpro Companies, Inc., to evaluate the effectiveness of the corrosion protection systems and construction practices for USA cable stay bridges and develop recommendations for future bridges. A review of the current state-of-the-art corrosion protection for the USA cable stay bridges and findings of this FHWA contract, through the Summer of 1990, are presented.