Print this page FHWA Bridge Inspector's Manual Sections 7.1-8—Concrete Superstructures
Mark P. Rossow, PhD, PE Retired
Course Outline
This five-hour online course discusses design characteristics, common defects, inspection procedures and locations, and evaluation of the following common concrete superstructures: cast-in-place slabs, tee beams, concrete girders, concrete channel beams, concrete arches and arch culverts, concrete rigid frames, precast and prestressed slabs, and prestressed double tees
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 design characteristics for each bridge type;
- Know construction characteristics;
- Be cognizant of distinguishing between concrete encased steel I-beam and tee-beam bridges;
- Be acquainted with typical maximum spans;
- Be acquainted with the significance of cracks of various types and locations;
- Identify primary members;
- Identify secondary members;
- Know steel reinforcement types and placement;
- Be cognizant of prestressed members;
- Be acquainted with common defects;
- Be acquainted with inspection procedures;
- Recognize inspection locations for bearing areas, shear zones, tension zones, and for compression zones;
- Be familiar with inspection locations for primary and secondary members;
- Be familiar with inspection areas exposed to drainage and to traffic;
- Be cognizant of inspection areas previously repaired; and
- Understand principles of condition-state assessment element assessment.
Intended Audience
This course is intended primarily for civil, construction, and structural engineers, and would be of particular interest to consulting engineers or to engineers serving in government organizations concerned with the safety of bridges.
Benefit to Attendees
An attendee of this course will be familiar with the characteristics of various common concrete superstructures and will be able to apply this knowledge in bridge inspections.
Course Introduction
Because the physical properties of concrete permit placing in various shapes and sizes, providing the bridge designer and the bridge builder with a variety of construction methods, many types of concrete superstructures have been developed over the years. Bridge inspectors must be knowledgeable about concrete superstructures if bridge inspections are to be conducted in a sound and careful manner.
Course Content
This course is based on BIRM’s Section 7.1-8 (Common Concrete Superstructures)of the Federal Highway Administration Bridge Inspector’s Reference Manual, Publication No. FHWA NHI 03-001, October, 2002, Revised December, 2006.
FHWA Bridge Inspector's Manual Sections 7.1-8—Concrete Superstructures Course Overview
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Course Summary
The characteristics of various common concrete superstructures are described in a manner useful for conducting bridge inspections.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/bripro.htm
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.
