Abstract
Major bridge rehabilitation projects may include painting of the steel superstructure in addition to deck replacement, expansion joint improvements, bearing replacement, etc. This paper will review the scheduling of the coatings work during a bridge rehabilitation project and how the order of coatings work affects the project schedule, cost, and quality.
Constructing and then painting a complex steel structure is no easy task. Designers and constructors face numerous challenges throughout the process, not the least of these is how to protect the steel from corrosion during the life of the structure. For many years through today painting a mild steel bridge is the desired corrosion control method. When steel bridges are new, contractors typically have the choice to use pre-painted components, to field paint the structure, or to do a combination of both. When an existing bridge is being rehabilitated the decisions related to painting the new components are similar, but what is often overlooked is the decision about when to re-paint the large amounts of existing steel.
Common sense tells us to paint something when we want it to be “finished,” especially something that has to be assembled at a construction site such as a bridge. It is likely that paint on pre-finished components may be damaged during construction. So why would the designer of a steel bridge rehabilitation project specify that portions of the painting process be performed before or during other construction activities? In certain cases a cleaned and prime painted bridge can significantly benefit other construction work and result in a more efficient overall project.
This article will outline the scope and sequencing of a steel bridge rehabilitation project, review the painting of four relevant projects, and list issues related to combining re-painting with other steel bridge rehabilitation tasks.
