Target Completion Date: June 30, 2028 Structures
For the rehabilitation of bridge substructures, Section 412.03(a)-2 in VDOT’s Road and Bridge Specifications limits how much deteriorated concrete can be removed from bridge columns and pier caps at any one time without the use of costly supplemental shoring. In recent years, VDOT has explored the use of hydrodemolition techniques that use calibrated, high-pressure water to remove deteriorated concrete. This approach can be very efficient and effective at removing entire surfaces of deteriorated or chloride-contaminated concrete, resulting in a uniform surface profile that promotes bonding with fresh concrete. The cost for this operation could potentially save millions of dollars. In order to make greater economic efficiencies using this technology, VDOT’s Structure and Bridge Division has proposed changes to Section 412.03(a)-2 that aim to reduce the number of rehabilitation phases and mitigate the idle periods for hydrodemolition crews. The purpose of this project is to determine whether VDOT can expand on the newly proposed limits of removing deteriorated concrete from pier columns without leaving the structure in an unstable condition. The scope for this project will consist of three parts: surveying other departments of transportation on their policies regarding this topic, small-scale laboratory testing, and analytical modeling.
Last updated: June 22, 2025
Please note that this file is not ADA compliant. Choose one of below options:
