This research focuses on the selection of suitable parameters for evaluating a bridge deck deteriorationmodel, based on the diffusion of chlorides to initiate corrosion and subsequent cracking and spalling, for adeck with epoxy-coated steel bars as reinforcement. Another objective of this study is to attemptinterpretation of the copper-copper sulfate (CSE) half-cell potentials and unguarded three linearpolarization (3LP) corrosion rates, where these tests supply significant indication of ongoing corrosion,for the bridge decks with epoxy-coated reinforcement (ECR) steel bars. The study includes the inspectionof a bridge deck (Federal Structure Number: 14178), which carries U.S. Route 15 over Interstate 66 nearGainesville, Virginia. The bridge was constructed in 1979 with a top mat of ECR and uncoated steel bars(UCS) as the bottom mat. At the time of the inspection the bridge had been 30 years in service, had notbeen overlaid, and exhibited prominent surface deterioration. Cumulative damage was 14% of the decksurface area as the sum of the spalls, delaminations and patches. This study also considers the number ofsamples or observations for each parameter considered necessary to run a model with a statisticalsignificance of 95%. Using selected parameters the diffusion model is applied for the bridge deck toestimate future deterioration rate, which predicts severe damage in a short period of time.
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