Problem Solving Forum
July 30 - August 3, 2018
The trend in bridge repainting projects is that they are routinely including structural repairs; however, the sequencing of the work on these projects is important. When should structural repairs be conducted: before, during or after the cleaning and repainting operations?
Selected Answers
From
Kevin Keith of LiRo Engineers, Inc. on
October 4, 2018:
The issue gets complex because separate trades and ...read more
The issue gets complex because separate trades and generally separate contractors are involved. The time it takes for steel repairs to be field measured, detailed, and delivered is a factor also. From my experience as a resident engineer on these projects is to mask the repair area off after priming and install the repair after the surrounding area is painted. This prevents leaving the surrounding area from exposure while the steel gets detailed and fabricated. For more information come to SSPC in February for my presentation on that very topic.
From
Michael Halliwell of Thurber Engineering Ltd. on
July 30, 2018:
My experience on bridges has been that the work is ...read more
My experience on bridges has been that the work is staged. Start at one end, get the needed containment up underneath a span, do the structural with spot cleaning / coatings as required, then clean and repaint that span while the work progresses to the next. It seems to minimize the time bare metal is exposed and allows the coating system (for each span) to go on as a unit (less chance of application or damage issues than if structural work happens afterwards).
