Technical Note TN 105 Asphalt Surfacing of Concrete Bridge Decks
Technical Note TN 105 Asphalt Surfacing of Concrete Bridge Decks
Technical Note TN 105 Asphalt Surfacing of Concrete Bridge Decks
TECHNICAL NOTE
STEPS IN PLACEMENT
General
Bridge decks should be surfaced using the following steps:
Cleaning, repair and preparation of concrete surface
Application of prime, or primerseal. Most decks with
an asphalt wearing course are pretreated with a
prime only. Where a primerseal is used it must be an
emulsion primerseal rather than a cutback primerseal
to avoid cutters from cutback bitumen affecting the
Figure 1: Concrete wearing surface
asphalt layers, and
Bituminous surfacing may be applied to bridge decks for Application of tack coat, asphalt regulation if required,
various reasons. These include: and asphalt wearing course.
assisting in regulating the surface and to provide a Further details are provided below.
smooth ride for road users
protecting the bridge deck from wear and tear due to Preparation of Concrete Deck
traffic Where a bituminous surfacing is proposed for a concrete
protecting the bridge deck from water ingress and deck, the concrete curing compound must be compatible
subsequent damage, and with the bituminous materials. Where an incompatible
providing a consistent surface texture along the curing compound e.g. a chlorinated compound, is used it
roadway. must be removed prior to bituminous surfacing.
The concrete deck should be swept clean of any loose Asphalt. Care should be taken to ensure pick up of the tack
material. Any oil deposits should be removed using a coat does not occur. Damaged areas should be rectified.
suitable solvent such that the bituminous materials will
adhere to the surface. Application of Asphalt Regulation Course
The concrete deck surface should be completely dry to Some types of bridge deck (e.g. prestressed concrete
ensure that moisture vapour does not blister the bituminous beams) have an inherent hog or sag and level changes
surfacing. in the concrete deck necessitating regulation. The deck
should be regulated with asphalt to provide a consistent
Any gaps over expansion joints should be temporarily
level surface.
filled and/ or covered to ensure the gap is not filled with
aggregate or asphalt during surfacing works. Regulation Gap Graded Asphalt may be used for regulation
where the level correction is between 10mm to 30mm.
Where the concrete deck has larger cracks (larger than
A Size 10mm Type H DGA should be used for regulation
micro cracking), specialist advice should be sought for
between 25mm to 35mm thick.
preparation works and repair of the cracks should be
undertaken. Application of Asphalt Wearing Course
Prime The asphalt layers should be placed in accordance with the
contract requirements.
The deck should be primed using an emulsion prime or
cutback bitumen prime to overcome any residual cement Care needs to be taken in the selection of construction
dust and ensure good bonding of the asphalt layers. Typical equipment for asphalt works on concrete bridge decks.
application rates of 0.2 to 0.3L/m2 (residual) are usually Where large or heavy equipment is expected further
used. Specialist advice should be sought to confirm the specialist advice should be sought from bridge structure
required application rate. Polymer modified primes should specialists. Normally rollers should only be operated in
not be used as these are too viscous for concrete decks. static mode, as vibratory rolling is not permitted.
The prime must be fully cured before any further works During placement, the asphalt layer will cool extremely
are undertaken. Curing time depends on the type of prime, quickly because concrete bridge decks are good heat
application rate and weather. A minimum of 4 hours curing conductors. It is therefore very important to have the rollers
for quick dry emulsion primes, to a few days for cutback working closely behind the asphalt paver.
bitumen primes should be expected. No traffic should be Where an asphalt wearing course is placed over a regulation
allowed on the prime during curing to avoid damage. Refer layer of asphalt, a tack coat between these layers is required.
Figure 2. Damaged areas must be rectified. The cured prime
In locations where OGA is used a free-draining edge is
should provide a consistent colour.
required.
Prior to application of the tack coat and asphalt, the surface
should be inspected for blisters or bubbles. Any blisters or DENSITY TESTING
bubbles must be repaired prior to the asphalt being placed.
Compaction of the asphalt layer is normally demonstrated
by taking cores, or using a nuclear density gauge. Coring
is not recommended on bridge decks since reinstatement
of the core cannot guarantee the replacement of the
waterproof layers, and there is a risk of damaging the deck.
The asphalt placed on the concrete deck should be
considered a separate lot, and excluded from test lots of
density testing of asphalt on adjacent pavement sections.
Refer Figure 3.
Compaction may be demonstrated using approved
procedural basis as provided in VicRoads Standard Section
407, Clause 407.22(c).
Lot One
on Bridge
Lot Two
Asphalt
Deck
Lot One
REFERENCES
VicRoads Code of Practice 500.22 Selection and Design of
Pavements and Surfacings
VicRoads, Standard Section 407 – Hot Mix Asphalt
Technical Consulting believes this publication to be correct at time of printing and does not accept responsibility for any
consequences arising from the use of the information herein. Readers should rely on individual judgement and skill to
apply information to particular issues.