Print this page FHWA Bridge Inspector’s Manual Section 11.1 and 11.2—Waterways
Mark P. Rossow, PhD, PE Retired
Course Outline
This three-hour online course discusses various properties of waterways that can affect bridges, including streambed material, hydraulic forces, changes in waterway channel, and flow disturbance caused by the bridge substructure. The concepts of hydraulic opening and hydraulic control structures are introduced. The types and causes of scour are extensively discussed, and inspection procedures to detect scour are presented.
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 properties affecting waterways;
- Know the purpose of waterway inspections;
- Be able to identify types of rivers (meandering, braided, straight, and steep mountain streams);
- Know floodplain characteristics;
- Be familiar with hydraulic opening characteristics;
- Be familiar with hydraulic control structures characteristics;
- Know waterway performance factors;
- Be familiar with waterway deficiencies and their effects;
- Understand inspection procedures and locations;
- Be familiar with evaluation and rating guidelines; and
- Be cognizant of special considerations surrounding culvert waterways.
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 waterways as they pertain to bridges and will be able to apply this knowledge in bridge inspections.
Course Introduction
Of all the bridges in the National Bridge Inventory (NBI), approximately 86% are built over waterways. Bridge inspectors need to understand the relationship between the bridge and waterway elements. This understanding involves being able to recognize and identify the streambed, embankments, floodplain, and stream flow so that an accurate assessment and record of the present condition of the bridge and waterway can be determined.
Course Content
This course is based on BIRM’s Section 11.1 (Waterway Elements) and Section 11.2 (Inspection of Waterways) 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 Section 11.1 and 11.2—Waterways
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Course Summary
The characteristics of waterways as they pertain to bridges are described in a manner useful for conducting inspection of bridges.
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.
