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The contents of this report reflect the views of the author(s), who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Any inclusion of manufacturer names, trade names, or trademarks is for identification purposes only and is not to be considered an endorsement.

Title:

Prescribing a Bridge Deck Ride Quality Repair Using the South Dakota Road Profiler and the Dipstick: Technical Assistance Report

Authors:

Kevin K. McGhee

Year:	1996

VTRC No.:	97-TAR2
Abstract:	This report describes how two sophisticated road roughness instruments were used to investigate the feasibility of a bridge deck ride quality repair. The instruments were the South Dakota Road Profiler (SDRP) and the Face Companies' Dipstick®. The bridge being repaired was on Interstate 95 over the Occoquan River in Northern Virginia. The repair being considered was a strategic grinding of the surface to remove high spots in the concrete. In addition to a badly formed profile, the top steel over much of the deck suffered from insufficient concrete cover. Using the SDRP and the Dipstick®, a research team was able to provide detailed illustrations of the repair strategy necessary to mitigate the significant rideability problem without exposing steel. Using the same equipment, this team was able to objectively monitor the progress and eventual success of the repair.