Study of Early-Age Bridge Deck Cracking in Nevada and Wyoming

In late 2009, the Echo Wash and Valley of Fire bridge decks were constructed in the Lake Mead National Recreation area in Nevada. Within six months after installation, in early 2010, both decks exhibited considerable transverse cracking, with some cracks extending through the thickness of the deck. Similar cracking was observed in the Snake River bridge deck in Wyoming. This report details the results of a two-pronged approach to examining the causes of such cracking.