The bridge coatings research program has sponsored several studies over the past 15 years. Many of these studies are completed and reports are available. Others are still in progress and the latest update is attached...

(Completed studies are noted in bold)

Current FHWA Contracts in Coatings

1. "Containment Efficiency: �Environment and Worker Exposure"
   The objective is to develop a field containment evaluation and monitoring plan for abrasive blasting containment systems, containment air flow and dust level, and nonabrasive blast operations, and to evaluate the operational safety factors for type CE air fed hoods.
   Contractor: VERSAR, Inc.
   Perriod of Performance: 1996-1997
   FHWA Contact: Bob Kogler, 202-493-3080

2. "Adhesion Criteria Between Water-Based Inorganic Coatings and Their Topcoat for Steel"
   The objective is to identify the cause of failure for both the coated and uncoated inorganic zinc coatings and to develop a quality control field testing procedure that will identify if the primer is in a condition for exterior exposure and/or topcoating. This program is being conducted as a pool-fund study.
   Contractor: Ocean City Research Corp./BIRL-Northwestern University
   Period of Performance: 1995-1997
   FHWA Contact: Shuang-Ling Chong, 202-493-3081

3. "Characterization of the Environment"
   The objective is to characterize the corrosivity of environments in different regions of the country. The resulting data and guidelines will be useful in specifying appropriate bridge coatings and weathering steel during the design process.
   Contractor: Ocean City Research Corp.
   Period of Performance: 1994-1997
   FHWA Contact: Bob Kogler, 202-493-3080

4. "Service Life Prediction Methodology"
   The objective to develop a statistically meaningful method to analyze coating testing results using laboratory accelerated data as well as shorter-term natural exposure data.
   Contractor: National Institute of Science and Technology
   Period of Performance: 1994-1997
   FHWA Contact: Shuang-Ling Chong, 202-493-3081

5. "Environmentally Acceptable Materials for the Corrosion Protection of Steel Bridges"
   The objective of this study is to determine the relative performance of the various newly available bridge coatings that meet current and pending environmental restrictions for solvent and heavy metal content. This project is complete with the final report currently pending
   . Contractor: Ocean City Research Corp.
   Period of Performance: 1988 - 1995
   FHWA Contact: Bob Kogler, 202-493-3080
   Report No. - FHWA-RD-96-058

6. "Guidelines for the Repair of Bridge Coatings"
   This study is developing data on the performance of various "overcoating," or maintenance coating materials. In addition, this study will investigate the technical criteria used to determine the feasibility of overcoating bridge structures.
   Contractor: Ocean City Research Corp.
   Period of Performance: 1993 - May, 1996
   FHWA Contact: Bob Kogler, 202-493-3080
   Report No. FHWA-RD-97-092

7. "Hazardous Bridge Coatings: Design & Management of Maintenance & Removal Operations - NHI Course # 13069"
   This is a cooperative training course development with NHI. The objective of this course is to provide a training forum for FHWA and State bridge engineers in the area of bridge coatings maintenance and specification. This course will include guidance on coatings selection, surface preparation specification, and environmental and worker safety issues.
   Contractor: KTA/SET Environmental
   Period of Performance: 1997-1998 (course development)
   FHWA Contact: Larry Jones, 703-235-0523

8. "Laboratory Performance Testing of Moisture-Cured Polyurethanes"
   This is a two-year in-house research project. The objective is to study and to compare the performance of different moisture-cured polyurethane systems on steel. Two types of coating systems are evaluated; they are coatings for new construction and for maintenance. The effect of chloride contaminated surfaces on the coating performance is also investigated.
   Period of Performance: 1996-1997
   FHWA Contact: Shuang-Ling Chong, 202-493-3081

9. "Cost-effective, Alternative Methods for Steel Bridge Coating System Maintenance"
   This study identifies and evaluates promising technologies for maintenance removal and application of coating systems for steel bridges. Candidate technologies will be assessed in laboratory and field testing and benefits will be assess versus current state-of-the-practice.
   Period of Performance: 1997-2000
   FHWA Contact: Bob Kogler, 202-493-3080