HOW DOTS INSPECT TO SAVE BRIDGES

This article which notes the currently mandated inspections which sometimes cost many times the maintenance budget and the proposed changes in federal inspection standards, reviews the inspection procedures and techniques in the various states: Michigan, Colorado, California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maryland, Connecticut, Nevada, Oregon, Indiana, Kansas, North Carolina, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Vermont, North Dakota, and Ohio. Michigan has an inspection program depending on bridge condition: all structures listed for replacement are inspected every 6 months, as are structures with a composite appraisal rating of 3 or below (on a scale of zero to five), and structures listed for total deck replacement. Connecticut uses a federal mandate to inspect all bridges at least once each 2 years. California varies its inspection schedule, while Minnesota has mandated annual inspections of every bridge. The article also describes how the various states are using computers to track bridge maintenance problems, videotaping and photography of problem areas, as well as using other specialized equipment. Colorado's Information Retrieval Inventory of Structures System (IRIS), Pennsylvania's Bridge Management System (BMS), and similar systems in the State of Washington, Vermont, and Michigan are noted. Nondestructive testing techniques used in Indiana, ultrasonic testing in Nevada, dye penetrant tests, radiographics and magnetic particle tests are also described. Underwater inspection techniques used in various states are noted. The training of inspectors is discussed.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1519687
• Publication Date: 1987-11

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 17-23
• Serial:
  • Better Roads
  • Volume: 57
  • Issue Number: 11
  • Publisher: James Informational Media, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0006-0208
  • Serial URL: http://www.betterroads.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Bridge management systems; Bridges; Dyes; Information processing; Information systems; Inspection; Inspectors; Magnetic materials; Maintenance; Nondestructive tests; Penetrants; Radiography; Testing; Training; Ultrasonic tests; Underwater construction; Underwater structures
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge inspection; Bridge maintenance; Magnetic particle testing; Replacing
• Old TRIS Terms: Dye penetrant testing
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Education and Training; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00475201
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 30 1989 12:00AM