Print this page Bridge Inspection
Mark P. Rossow, PhD, PE Retired
Course Outline
This ten-hour online course discusses the procedures necessary to plan and conduct an inspection of a bridge, For a bridge of any common material or type (except a suspension bridge), the inspector will know what particular problems may arise and how they will manifest themselves, if present. The inspector will also know how to ensure the safety of his team and how to report the final results of the inspection.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Be familiar with how inspection procedures vary according to the type of bridge material: concrete, steel, timber, masonry, and stone;
- Be familiar with how inspection procedures vary according to the structural type of the bridge;
- Be familiar with the sequence in which various bridge components should be examined;
- Be familiar with the difference between a control inspection and a preventative-maintenance inspection;
- Be familiar with the different types of inspection tools needed for different types of bridge materials;
- Be able to list the four types of structural framing systems for bridges;
- Be able to recognize and name the types of cracks commonly found in concrete bridges;
- Be knowledgeable about the various causes of concrete cracking;
- Be able to distinguish concrete spalling from other types of concrete deterioration;
- Be able to recognize incipient shear failure in concrete;
- Be aware of and able to recognize concrete efflorescence;
- Be familiar with the types and causes of cracks in steel;
- Be able to judge the relative seriousness of corrosion in steel;
- Know when the use of radiographic inspection is appropriate;
- Be knowledgeable about facture critical members;
- Understand the concept of fracture toughness;
- Understand the appropriate procedure for inspecting riveted or bolted tension members;
- Be aware of steps to be taken to prevent damage to the bridge during inspection;
- Be able to recognize and distinguish among the various types of insect/worm infestations of timber bridges;
- Be familiar with the similarities and differences of wrought and cast iron;
- Be familiar with the similarities and differences of old and new metal bridges;
- Be familiar about the similarities and differences of steel and aluminum bridges;
- Be familiar with the numerical magnitudes of tensile and compressive strengths of wrought iron, cast iron, steel, aluminum, timber, and concrete;
- Be able to identify the main elements of piers and understand their vulnerabilities;
- Be knowledgeable about how to detect foundation movement;
- Be knowledgeable about causes of vertical settlement of abutments;
- Be familiar with the role played by soil conditions in foundation behavior;
- Be familiar with conditions for a channel to be in regime;
- Know the typical causes of channel degradation;
- Know basic rules and guidelines for ensuring inspector safety;
- Be knowledgeable about the required items to be included in an inspection report; and
- Be able to determine when appropriate, additional and more thorough (and time-consuming) inspection procedures to be followed when problems are identified in the initial inspection.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for civil, construction, structural and mechanical engineers.
Benefit to Attendees
An attendee of this course will be able to plan and implement a bridge-inspection program for almost any type of bridge, except a suspension bridge.
Course Introduction
The construction of a bridge generally constitutes a significant cost in the operation of a transportation system. This cost can be avoided or at least delayed for many years by extending the bridge service life through a program of maintenance and repair. Any such program must be preceded by a thorough inspection of the bridge to determine the location and extent of deterioration and damage to the structure or to the channel and soil adjacent to the structure. Based on accumulated experience with bridges of common types and made of common materials, an inspection program can be designed that will direct the inspection team to the likely areas of concern in the structure and its environs. Describing how such a comprehensive and rational inspection program can be formulated is the subject of this course.
Course Content
The course is based on Chapters 1-9 of the manual “Joint Departments of the Army and Air Force, TM 5-600/AFJPAM 32-1088, Bridge Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair,” released in December, 1994.
TM 5-600/AFJPAM 32-1088, Bridge Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair
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Course Summary
Given the material and type of bridge to be inspected, a procedure has been presented that will enable a bridge-inspection team to know in advance where and how to look for likely evidence and causes of structural and foundation deterioration and damage. The tools to use, the sequence in which the bridge components should be inspected, precautions to take to ensure inspector safety, and the proper way to report the results all have been described.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:
FHA National Bridge Inspection Standards
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
