AZZ CASE STUDY / NO.

No Corrosion Maintenance for 41 Years and Counting

GalvXtra is a unique alloy process that has raised the bar in the after-fabrication steel market. Seventy percent of all steel used in the United States today comes from recycled sources. Recent technology allows steel companies to produce continuous cast shapes using recycled steel. But this technology makes the steel highly reactive in a zinc bath. The chemicals enhancing the continuous casting process interfere with the zinc alloying process, resulting in an irregular, thicker, more brittle zinc coating. GalvXtra combats this problem by producing a more uniform appearance and more normally alloyed coating. GalvXtra meets the requirements of ASTM A123, ASTM A153 and ASTM B6 and is environmentally green. Galvanized steel is 100% recyclable and contributes points to LEED certification under several categories. AZZ Galvanizing Services is the largest hot-dip galvanizing company in North America, with all plants following strict protocol for product consistency. To find a plant near you visit www.galvanizing.com.

CASE STUDY:

 Castleton Bridge north bound lanes galvanized steel, south bound lanes
painted steel.

COMPLETED: LOCATION: OWNER:

1970 Castleton exit of interstate 69 in Hamilton County, Indiana (snow belt)  Indiana Department of Highways

ENVIRONMENT:

This is a suburban bridge with high traffic volume passing over and under.
De-icing solutions and salts have been applied regularly over the years.

MAINTENANCE:

 North bound lanes (galvanized steel beams) have had no corrosion related
maintenance since construction. South bound lanes (painted steel beams) were repainted in 1984 and zinc metalized in 2002.

(The east face of the eastern most beam and the west face of the western most beam have been painted gray for aesthetic reasons.) The north bound lanes were last inspected in September, 2011 in accordance with ASTM A896/ A896M-09 Standard Practice for Conducting Case Studies on Galvanized Structures. All coating thickness measurements still meet or exceed ASTM specifications for new galvanizing. Even with cruel winters, heavy salting and pigeon droppings, this bridge is expected to remain corrosion maintenance free for many years to come. Hot dip galvanizing continues to be the most cost effective, hassle free corrosion protection system available for structural steel bridges across America.