scope:

General

The riding surface of a highway bridge deck should provide a continuation of the pavement segments which it connects. The surface should be free from characteristics or profile deviations which impart objectionable or unsafe riding qualities. The desirable qualities should persist with minimum maintenance throughout the projected service life of the structure.

Many decks remain smooth and free from surface deterioration and retain skid resistance for many years, attesting to satisfactory attention to the many details influencing such performance. When deficiencies do occur, they usually take one of the forms described in this chapter. Subsequent chapters of this report discuss the contribution of various aspects of deck construction to such defects, and present guidelines based on theory and experience which should reduce the probability of occurrence to an acceptable level.