QUALITY ASSURANCE IN BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION IN CANADA: A STUDY OF INSPECTION AND TESTING PROGRAMS

A study is summarized of inspection times and concrete testing programs on 21 contracts of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Communications containing 41 bridges built in 1974. The study assessed the degree of uniformity in the Ministry's work with respect to inspection and field testing programs and compares such programs, where appropriate, with resonnended practices and specification requirements. Data are presented on inspection times for reinforcing steel, formwork and falsework, concrete placement, erection of beams, stressing and grouting of cables, deck waterproofing, and other operations. Test programs on fresh and hardened concrete are discussed. The study notes a wide variation in the effect of inspection on comparable segments of different structures and attributes this partly to the individual inspector's perception of the scope and nature of the required inspection effort. A practical bridge-inspection manual and checklists that will establish uniform standards of inspection and provide the basis to build more accountability into inspection work are required. It is concluded that inspection and testing programs, particularly on critical segments of the bridge structure such as the deck, require substantial improvement. /Author/

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1977/652/652-007.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=QUALITY+ASSURANCE+IN+BRIDGE+CONSTRUCTION+IN+CANADA%3a+A+STUDY+OF+INSPECTION+AND+TESTING+PROGRAMS&author=J.+RYELL&author=L.+Bowering&publication_year=1977
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03611981
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Quality Assurance and Acceptance Procedures. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • RYELL, J
  • Bowering, L
• Conference:
  • 56th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia, United States
  • Date: 1977-1-24 to 1977-1-28
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 42-51
• Monograph Title: Construction and quality control of pavements and structures
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 652
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Beams; Bridge cables; Bridge construction; Bridge foundations; Bridges; Concrete placing; Construction; Falsework; Field tests; Formwork; Grouting; Inspection; Performance based specifications; Quality assurance; Reinforcing steel; Specifications; Standards; Stresses
• Uncontrolled Terms: Stressing
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00184210
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 03026814
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Dec 29 1978 12:00AM