Element Level Bridge Inspection

The Guide Manual for Bridge Element Inspection builds on the element-level condition assessment methods developed in the AASHTO Guide for Commonly Recognized Structural Elements, which it replaces. Improvements have been made to fully capture the condition of the elements by reconfiguring the element language to utilize multiple distress paths within the defined condition states. The multi-path distress language provides the means to fully incorporate all possible defects within the overall condition assessment of the element. The overall condition of an element can be utilized in this aggregate form, or broken down into specific defects present as desired by the agency for Bridge Management System (BMS) use. The Bridge Element Inspection Manual provides a comprehensive set of bridge elements that is designed to be flexible in nature to satisfy the needs of all agencies. The complete set of elements capture the components necessary for an agency to manage all aspects of the bridge inventory utilizing the full capability of a BMS -- Publisher's website.

In 2012, Congress passed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and committed to the development of a data-driven, risk based approach to asset management in the United States. This law requires the collection and submission of element level bridge inspection data for all National Highway System bridges, in addition to the National Bridge Inspection condition rating data. Ultimately, the data collected during element level bridge inspections should satisfy the requirements of the Federal Highway Administration and MAP-21 and be utilized by INDOT to evaluate bridge condition, predict deterioration, and guide decision making. The objective of this project is to develop recommendations for element level bridge inspection techniques, data collection, and inspector training based on a survey of INDOT peer agencies and a literature review of existing research and bridge inspection guidance. In order to collect consistent and reliable data, a rigorous inspector training program and detailed quality control procedures are necessary. INDOT must provide inspectors with the tools to be successful, including clearly defined expectations and instructions, comprehensive training and technical support, and effective inspection equipment. Similarly, robust quality control measures and periodic performance testing should be implemented to improve inspection quality and assess the agency's performance.

"The Manual for Bridge Element Inspection (MBEI) is a reference for standardized element definitions, element quantity calculations, condition state definitions, element feasible actions, and inspection conventions. Its goal is to capture the condition of bridges in a simple, effective way that can be standardized nationwide, while providing enough flexibility to be adapted by both large and small agencies. It is designed for use by state departments of transportation and other agencies that perform element-level bridge inspections. This new, second edition—which supersedes the first edition published in 2013—was developed as a result of NCHRP 12-104, Guidelines to Improve the Quality of Element-Level Bridge Inspection. It incorporates suggested changes by numerous inspecting agencies, consultant inspection firms, and training instructors, and attempts to cover the majority of bridge elements found on highway bridges in the United States."--Publisher's website.

Provides the results of an audit of the Fed. Hwy. Admin. (FHWA) to improve its oversight of states¿ bridge inspections, load ratings, and max. weight postings. FHWA should encourage states to use more detailed data to manage their bridge programs. Shortly after the I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, MN on Aug. 1, 2007, killing 13 people, the Sec. of Transportation asked whether FHWA¿s Nat. Bridge Inspection Program delivered the highest level of bridge safety. Objectives for this audit were to evaluate FHWA¿s: (1) implementation of data-driven, risk-based oversight to target bridge safety risks most in need of attention, particularly those related to load ratings and postings; and (2) promotion of state use of bridge management systems. Table.

More than a third of America's bridges are considered substandard--either structurally deficient, functionally obsolete or both. Offers first-rate, practical guidance regarding the inspection and rehabilitation of aging bridge infrastructure including all elements involving structure, various materials and design types. Features seismic retrofit and coverage of environmental issues. Each chapter is written by an authority on the subject. Contains top-quality, detailed line illustrations plus photographs of actual rehab projects.

This book highlights current research and developments in the area of Structural Engineering and Construction Management, which are important disciplines in Civil Engineering. It covers the following topics and categories of Structural Engineering. The main chapters/sections of the proceedings are Structural and Solid Mechanics, Construction Materials, Systems and Management, Loading Effects, Construction Safety, Architecture & Architectural Engineering, Coastal Engineering, Foundation engineering, Materials, Sustainability. The content of this book provides necessary knowledge for construction management practices, new tools and technologies on local and global levels in civil engineering which can mitigate the negative effects of built environment.​

The safety, maintenance and repair of bridges and buildings depend on effective inspection and monitoring techniques. These methods need to be able to identify problems often hidden within structures before they become serious. This important collection reviews key techniques and their applications to bridges, buildings and other civil structures. The first group of chapters reviews ways of testing corrosion in concrete components. Given their continuing importance and vulnerability to decay, the next series of chapters describes ways of testing wood components within civil structures. A final group of chapters looks at visual and acoustic techniques and their use to assess bridges in particular. Inspection and monitoring techniques for bridges and civil structures is an invaluable reference for civil engineers involved in safety inspection, maintenance and repair of bridges and civil structures. Reviews key inspection and monitoring techniques and their applications to bridges, building and other civil structures Edited by a leading authority in the field

This synthesis reports bridge inspection practices in the United States and selected foreign countries. The synthesis is a collection of information on formal inspection practices of departments of transportation (DOTs). These are primarily visual inspections and they provide data to bridge registries and databases. For U.S. inspection practices, this synthesis reports on inspection personnel, inspection types, and inspection quality control and quality assurance. Staff titles and functions in inspection programs are reported, together with qualifications and training of personnel, formation of inspection teams, and assignment of teams to bridges. Inspection types are described in terms of their scope, methods, and intervals. Quality control and quality assurance programs are reviewed in terms of the procedures employed, staff involved, quality measurements obtained, and the use of quality findings in DOT inspection programs. Foreign practices are presented in the same organization of inspection personnel, types, and quality programs. Comparisons of U.S. and foreign inspection practices are included. Information was obtained from a questionnaire sent to U.S. state transportation departments, similar questionnaires modified individually for transportation agencies in selected foreign countries, and formal documents used by transportation departments and agencies. These documents primarily included bridge inspection manuals, inspection training manuals, and technical memoranda, but also included blank forms for inspections, DOTs job descriptions for inspectors, and descriptions of inspection training courses. Overall, this synthesis includes information from forty U.S. state transportation departments and from roads agencies in eight foreign nations (Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, and the United Kingdom). The synthesis also includes, in an appendix, information from a few provincial and municipal transport agencies in Canada.