NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF BRIDGES

L'AUSCULTATION DES PONTS

The inspection and non-destructive testing of bridges is today a preoccupation of the highway authorities in many countries, and the cost involved indicates that the problem merits a great deal of attention. The inspection of bridges is above all visual, which implies proper training of specialized personnel, retention of satisfactory documentation relative to the life of the structure, and in many cases the availability of special equipment permitting access to every part of a structure which is susceptible to deterioration. Such equipment is now on the market, and two such machines were acquired by D.R.C.R. in 1973 and 1974. In certain cases the visual examination should be supplemented by more precise measurements for the purpose of: - better understanding of the instantaneous behaviour of the structure; - evaluation of the condition of structural materials; - following the progress of changes in the structure. In view of the many structural materials in use today, partaking in so many extremely varied physical phenomena, much progress remains to be made since the values to determine are not measured sufficiently accurately, too difficult or even impossible to measure. The field of bridge inspection and nondestructive testing is therefore at the present time in a state of rapid evolution; new means of measurement are constantly developed and new methodologies of examination are applied. Emphasis is laid on the training of skilled personnel. /TRRL/

• Corporate Authors:

  Societe de Diffusion de Tech du Bat et de Trav Pub

  9 rue la Perouse
  Paris 16e,   France 
• Authors:
  • Leger, P
• Publication Date: 1975-4

Language

• French

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 45-72
• Serial:
  • Annales de l'Institut Tech du Batiment Travaux Pub
  • Issue Number: 237
  • Publisher: Societe de Diffusion de Tech du Bat et de Trav Pub

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Construction; Costs; Documents; Durability; Education; Equipment; Inspection; Maintenance; Measurement; Methodology; Nondestructive tests; Personnel; Road construction; Structural analysis; Structural materials; Structural mechanics; Surveillance; Testing equipment; Training
• Uncontrolled Terms: Construction costs; Documentation; Structural behavior
• ITRD Terms: 3455: Bridge; 2284: Education; 3674: Equipment; 3847: Maintenance; 6136: Measurement; 9102: Method; 102: Personnel; 9101: Surveillance
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Data and Information Technology; Education and Training; Finance; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Society; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00165614
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 14 1978 12:00AM