ASTM D4071-23

Standard Practice for Use of Portland Cement Concrete Bridge Deck Water Barrier Membrane Systems

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice provides a guide for factors to be considered prior to waterproofing bridge decks with water barrier membrane systems. It will provide guidance for specification of materials, application of membrane systems, and placement of asphalt wearing courses. It may be used as a guide for new construction or for rehabilitation of existing structures.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers liquid applied, preformed, or built-up water barrier membrane systems and their application, overlaid with asphalt wearing courses, for use in the protection of bridge decks from deleterious effects of deicing salts. Material use and specifications should be adapted to conform to job and user requirements for new construction or existing structures. This practice is written as a guide for the use of bridge deck water barrier systems only.  
1.2 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 10.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2023
• ICS: 93.040 - Bridge construction
• Technical Committee: D04 - Road and Paving Materials
• Drafting Committee: D04.32 - Bridges and Structures

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D3743-84(2000) - Standard Terminology Relating To Bridge Deck and Substructure Protection (Withdrawn 2004)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2000

Overview

ASTM D4071-23: Standard Practice for Use of Portland Cement Concrete Bridge Deck Water Barrier Membrane Systems provides comprehensive guidance for selecting, specifying, and applying liquid applied, preformed, or built-up water barrier membranes on concrete bridge decks. This standard is vital for protecting bridge structures from the damaging effects of water infiltration and deicing salts, which can cause premature deterioration. The document outlines best practices for integrating membrane systems with asphalt wearing courses, serving both new construction and the rehabilitation of existing bridges.

Key Topics

• Material Selection and Specification

  • Guidance on specifying suitable membrane systems (liquid applied, preformed, built-up) tailored to project needs.
  • Emphasis on chemical and physical compatibility between membranes and asphalt overlays.

• Structural and Design Considerations

  • Recommendations for incorporating waterproofing systems into bridge design-accounting for load, drainage, surface finish, joint detailing, and termination points.
  • Guidance for accommodating future deck overlays and addressing special features like expansion joints, curbs, and parapets.

• Application and Installation Practices

  • Protocols for surface preparation-including cleaning, inspection, and repair of deck surfaces.
  • Requirements for membrane application under suitable weather and temperature conditions.
  • Detailed inspection criteria for overlaps, watertight terminations, and blister remediation.

• Asphalt Wearing Course Integration

  • Specification of asphalt mix, thickness, and compaction to ensure optimal performance and extended service life.
  • Key points on minimizing exposure time of membranes prior to overlay and proper handling of placement equipment to protect the membrane.

• Rehabilitation and Maintenance

  • Additional steps for applying water barrier systems on existing decks, especially those with chloride contamination or structural damage.
  • Maintenance and service life considerations, including traffic management during rehabilitation.

• Safety and Compliance

  • Emphasis on safety, health, and environmental practices in handling membrane components, consistent with manufacturer and regulatory guidelines.
  • Applicability of international standards principles.

Applications

The ASTM D4071-23 standard is essential for:

• New Bridge Construction

  • Integrating water barrier membrane systems into the initial design to enhance deck longevity and performance.

• Bridge Rehabilitation

  • Restoring and upgrading existing bridge decks to extend service life and prevent future deterioration from water and deicing salts.
  • Improving drainage, substrate repair, and joint modifications.

• Transportation Agencies and Contractors

  • Ensuring consistent, high-quality practices among engineers, inspectors, and contractors responsible for bridge waterproofing.

• Infrastructure Sustainability

  • Reducing repair frequency and lifecycle costs by mitigating water-induced deterioration.

Using ASTM D4071-23 helps safeguard infrastructure investments by minimizing water ingress and chloride-induced corrosion, reducing the risk of costly repairs and traffic disruptions.

Related Standards

• ASTM D3743 – Terminology Relating to Bridge Deck and Substructure Protection (Withdrawn), used for definitions referenced in D4071.
• NCHRP Synthesis Report 57 – Guidance on the durability of concrete bridge decks, particularly relevant for rehabilitation projects.
• Additional references may include regional or national bridge design codes and standards focused on waterproofing and overlay systems.

Keywords: bridge deck waterproofing, water barrier membrane systems, Portland cement concrete, bridge rehabilitation, asphalt wearing course, ASTM D4071, infrastructure protection, deicing salt resistance.

By following ASTM D4071-23, stakeholders can ensure durable, watertight bridge decks that meet modern performance, maintenance, and longevity requirements.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D4071 − 23
Standard Practice for
Use of Portland Cement Concrete Bridge Deck Water Barrier
Membrane Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4071; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.2 Other Documents:
NCHRP Synthesis Report 57 Durability of Concrete Bridge
1.1 This practice covers liquid applied, preformed, or
Decks
built-up water barrier membrane systems and their application,
overlaid with asphalt wearing courses, for use in the protection
3. Terminology
of bridge decks from deleterious effects of deicing salts.
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to
Material use and specifications should be adapted to conform
Terminology D3743.
to job and user requirements for new construction or existing
structures. This practice is written as a guide for the use of
4. Significance and Use
bridge deck water barrier systems only.
4.1 This practice provides a guide for factors to be consid-
1.2 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
ered prior to waterproofing bridge decks with water barrier
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
membrane systems. It will provide guidance for specification
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
of materials, application of membrane systems, and placement
as requirements of the standard.
of asphalt wearing courses. It may be used as a guide for new
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
construction or for rehabilitation of existing structures.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5. Bridge Design and Specification Consideration
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
5.1 Proper use of water barrier membranes with asphalt
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
wearing courses requires consideration of certain elements
Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 10.
during the design stage of new or existing bridges to be treated
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
and covered with an asphalt wearing course.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
5.2 New bridge deck designs must include provision for
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
dead loads including future systems.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.3 The deck surface finish should be specified to allow
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. proper use of the intended membrane system. Manufacturer’s
recommendations for surface finish should be reviewed for
2. Referenced Documents guidance on finishing freshly placed concrete or for repair of
2 existing deck surfaces.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D3743 Terminology Relating to Bridge Deck and Substruc- 5.4 Surface drains should be designed to allow positive
ture Protection (Withdrawn 2004) drainage to minimize the penetration of water through the
asphalt wearing course.
5.5 Joint systems should be designed to provide adequate
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road and
termination points for the membrane. Membranes should not
Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.32 on
be placed over expansion joints. Dams or expansion assemblies
Bridges and Structures.
should be provided to the height of the asphalt wearing course.
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published May 2023. Originally
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D4071 – 84 (2016).
5.6 Curbs or parapets, or both, should be designed for
DOI: 10.1520/D4071-23.
functional terminations. Manufacturers of membrane systems
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. Available from the National Cooperative Highway Research Program
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on (NCHRP), Keck Center of the National Academies Transportation Research Board,
www.astm.org. 500 Fifth Street NW, Washington, DC 20001.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4071 − 23
should be consulted for recommended termination details. If 7.6 Termination details should be thoroughly inspected to
rough surfaces (such as granite curbs) are specified, a treatment ensure that they are watertight.
should be specified to provide the surface smoothness required
7.7 The membrane should be placed in such a manner that
for the proper use of the membrane. Treatment of rough curbs
overlaps in preformed or built-up systems will not trap water or
may be achieved with a leveling surface treatment with epoxy
interfere with placement of the asphalt wearing course.
mortar or other suitable materials.
7.8 Placement and subsequent treatment such as rolling
5.7 Decks should include weepholes to provide drainage for
should be inspected to ensure that bubbles or blisters resulting
water which penetrates through the asphalt wearing course to
from deck moisture outgassing are minimized. Large bubbles
the membrane level.
or blisters should be punctured or repaired, or both, as
specified. An asphalt mix with sand or fine aggregate may be
5.8 For bridges with significant grades (usually over 4 %) or
used as an underlayment for membranes to minimize bubbling
those which are subject to traffic acceleration, deceleration, or
or blistering.
radial stresses (such as on ramps), the use of membrane
systems may cause overlay movement. Membrane manufac-
7.9 Membrane terminations at drains, joints, and curbs
turers should be consulted for limitations on membrane use.
should be properly sealed to prevent water entry at these
critical areas.
5.9 Service life and maintenance requirements should be
considered when designing the water barrier and wearing
7.10 The completed membrane system application should
surface.
be inspected and repairs made in accordance with specifica-
tions.
5.10 Specified materials should be chemically and physi-
cally compatible with specific emphasis on proper a
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4071 − 84 (Reapproved 2016) D4071 − 23
Standard Practice for
Use of Portland Cement Concrete Bridge Deck Water Barrier
Membrane Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4071; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers liquid applied, preformed, or built-up water barrier membrane systems and their application;application,
overlaid with bituminous concrete asphalt wearing courses, for use in the protection of bridge decks from deleterious effects of
deicing salts. Material use and specifications should be adapted to conform to job and user requirements for new construction or
existing structures. This practice is written as a guide for the use of bridge deck water barrier systems only.
1.2 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 10.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D3743 Terminology Relating to Bridge Deck and Substructure Protection (Withdrawn 2004)
2.2 Other Documents:
NCHRP Synthesis Report 57 Durability of Concrete Bridge Decks
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to Terminology D3743.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This practice provides a guide for factors to be considered prior to waterproofing bridge decks with water barrier membrane
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.32 on Bridges and
Structures.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016May 1, 2023. Published October 2016May 2023. Originally approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 20112016 as
D4071 – 84 (2011).(2016). DOI: 10.1520/D4071-84R16.10.1520/D4071-23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Available from the National Cooperative Highway ReseacrhResearch Program (NCHRP), Keck Center of the National Academies Transportation Research Board, 500
Fifth Street, NWStreet NW, Washington, DC 20001.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4071 − 23
systems. It will provide guidance for specification of materials, application of membrane systems, and placement of
bituminousasphalt wearing courses. It may be used as a guide for new construction or for rehabilitation of existing structures.
5. Bridge Design and Specification Consideration
5.1 Proper use of water barrier membranes with bituminous concrete asphalt wearing courses requires consideration of certain
elements during the design stage of new or existing bridges to be treated and covered with a bituminous concrete an asphalt
wearing course.
5.2 New bridge deck designs must include provision for dead loads including future systems.
5.3 The deck surface finish should be specified to allow proper use of the intended membrane system.
Manufacturers’Manufacturer’s recommendations for surface finish should be reviewed for guidance on finishing freshly placed
concrete or for repair of existing deck surfaces.
5.4 Surface drains should be designed to allow positive drainage to minimize the penetration of water through the
bituminousasphalt wearing course.
5.5 Joint systems should be designed to provide adequate termination points for the membrane. Membranes should not be placed
over expansion joints. Dams or expansion assemblies should be provided to the height of the bituminousasphalt wearing course.
5.6 Curbs or parapets, or both, should be designed for functional terminations. Manufacturers of membrane systems should be
consulted for recommended termination details. If rough surfaces (such as granite curbs) are specified, a treatment should be
specified to provide the surface smoothness required for the proper use of the membrane. Treatment of rough curbs may be
achieved with a leveling surface treatment with epoxy mortar or other suitable materials.
5.7 Decks should include weepholes to provide drainage for water which penetrates through the bituminousasphalt wearing course
to the membrane level.
5.8 For bridges with significant grades (usually over 4 %) or those which are subject to traffic acceleration, deceleration, or radial
stresses (such as on ramps), the use of membrane systems may cause overlay movement. Membrane manufacturers should be
consulted for limitations on membrane use.
5.9 Service life and maintenance requirements should be considered when designing the water barrier and wearing surface.
5.10 Specified materials should be chemically and physically compatible with specific emphasis on proper adhesion of the
membrane and the bituminousasphalt wearing course.
6. Bridge Construction
6.1 A preconstruction conference should be held to assureensure that the contractor is aware of all construction requirements
which affect the membrane system.
6.2 Inspectors should ensure that surface finish of the concrete deck is acceptable for the use of the intended membrane system,
usually an even float finish.
6.3 Concrete decks or other components should be cured and dried for the required minimum time before installation of the
membrane. Limitations on curing methods or curing materials should be observed. In most cases, the use of membrane curing
compounds containing wax or oil should be prohibited.
6.4 Care should be exercised to avoid the use of materials which are chemically or physically incompatible with the membrane
system to be used.
...