Bridge Inspector’s Reference Manual

This document, the Bridge Inspector’s Reference Manual (BIRM), is a comprehensive manual on programs, procedures, and techniques for inspecting and evaluating a variety of in-service highway bridges. It is intended to replace the BITM 90 which was first published in 1991 to assist in training highway personnel for the new discipline of bridge safety inspection. BITM 90 replaced BITM 70 which had been in use for 20 years and has been the basis for several training programs varying in length from a few days to two weeks. Comprehensive supplements to BITM 70 have been developed to cover inspection of fracture critical bridge members, and culverts are now covered in the BIRM. The BIRM is a revision and upgrading of the previous manual. Improved Bridge Inspection techniques are presented, and state-of-the-art inspection equipment is included. New or expanded coverage is provided on culverts, fracture critical members, cable-stayed bridges, prestressed segmental bridges, and underwater inspection. Previous supplemental manuals on moveable bridge inspection, and nondestructive testing are excerpted and referenced. These supplemental manuals are still valid supplements to BIRM. A three-week comprehensive training program on bridge inspection, based on the BIRM, has been developed. The program consists of a one-week course, “Engineering Concepts for Bridge Inspectors,” and a two-week course, “Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges.” Together, these two courses meet the definition of a comprehensive training program in bridge inspection as defined in the National Bridge Inspection Standards. The one-week course is optional for technicians, inspectors, or engineers who have an adequate background in bridge engineering concepts.

• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/39863
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/57305
• Corporate Authors:

  Michael Baker, Jr., Incorporated

  420 Rouser Road
  Coraopolis, PA  United States  15108

  Federal Highway Administration

  Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
  McLean, VA  United States  22101
• Authors:
  • Hartle, Raymond A
  • Ryan, Thomas W
  • Mann, J Eric
  • Danovich, Leslie J
  • Sosko, William B
  • Bouscher, Justin W
• Publication Date: 2002-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 1766p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Culverts; Highway bridges; Inspection; Manuals
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fracture critical members; Underwater inspection
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01706719
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA NHI 03-001 (Volume 1), Report No. 23104-HRS, FHWA NHI 03-002 (Volume 2)
• Contract Numbers: DTFH61-97-D-00025
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: May 29 2019 2:19PM