Identify three visual indicators of deck distress.

• A. Potholes, spalling/cracking, and scaling or surface wear.
• B. Potholes and rust on steel components
• C. Vegetation growth, Cracking in asphalt
• D. Under-deck corrosion only

Answer: (A)

Deck distress on a concrete bridge deck shows up as surface damage that compromises the top layer and allows moisture to penetrate. The three visual indicators you’re looking for are potholes (depressions where material has been lost), spalling or cracking (pieces of the surface breaking away or cracks propagating through the deck), and scaling or surface wear (flaking or wearing away of the concrete surface). These signs together signal deterioration of the deck surface itself and potential exposure of reinforcement, which can accelerate further damage if not addressed.

Other options mix issues that aren’t the deck surface indicators: rust on steel components points to internal or substructure corrosion rather than surface distress; vegetation growth and cracking in asphalt refer to pavement or overlay problems, not the concrete deck surface; and under-deck corrosion focuses on the underside rather than the surface condition inspectors typically observe.