Why Do Coastal Bridges Fail Faster? (Video)

“Greg Batista here once again to answer your online questions.

BridgeBuff asks: Why do bridges near the ocean deteriorate faster than inland ones?

Salt-laden air and seawater are the main culprits. Chloride ions penetrate concrete, corroding reinforcing steel and causing cracking and spalling. According to the Federal Highway Administration, over 55,000 U.S. bridges are rated structurally deficient, with coastal bridges deteriorating the fastest. In Florida, engineers fight this by applying sealers, epoxy-coated rebar, and sometimes cathodic protection. Still, the combination of heat, salt, and humidity can shorten a bridge’s service life by decades if maintenance is ignored. Inland bridges simply don’t face the same harsh exposure, which is why they last longer on average.

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Authoritative references: Federal Highway Administration bridge reports; ACI durability guidance.

The author, Greg Batista, PE, CGC, SI is owner of G. Batista Engineering & Construction and is a nationally-recognized engineer and contractor with more than 35 years of experience and offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.