Overview of the Bridge Evaluation Quality

Assurance Scan

American Association of State Highway and Transportation OfficialsFederal Highway Administration

National Cooperative Highway Research Program

AASHTO Annual MeetingSeptember, 2007

Tom EverettCo-Chair

Principal Bridge Engineer Federal Highway Administration

Peter WeykampCo-Chair

Bridge Maintenance Program EngineerNew York Department of Transportation

Scan Team Member Home States

Tom DrdaFHWA North Carolina

Dr. Glenn Washer

Univ. of Missouri

Dave Juntunen – MI DOT

Larry Hummel – Van Buren County

Randy Cox

Texas DOT

Tod Kimball

FHWA Vermont

Tom Everett

FHWA HQ

AASHTO

FHWA

FHWA HQ

Harry CapersArora and

Assoc.

Consultant

Pete Weykamp

New York DOT

Academia

Paul Jensen

Montana DOT

Scan Countries

Red – VisitedBlue – Met with in Denmark

PURPOSE and SCOPE

• Assist in NBIS regulation implementation.

• Explore effective bridge inspection systems in other countries.

• Satisfy the 2001 Data Quality Act.

• Review types of data collected by other countries.

TOPICS of INTEREST

• Organizational Structure and Background

• Inspection Data • Personnel Qualifications • Process Control• Equipment• Documentation

FINDINGS

European agencies value their bridge inspection programs to insure highway user safety to insure durability and service-

ability expectations are met to enhance capital investment

decisions regarding their existing bridge inventory

FINDINGS

Emphasis Placed on Quality Well-defined qualifications, Uniform inspection type

definitions, Periodic calibration of inspectors, Data collection processes, Appropriate use of NDT methods Multi-tiered inspection

frequency is not fixed

FOCUS AREAS

• Team identified many items that could enhance bridge inspection practices within the U.S. and organized them into 8 topic areas for further evaluation.

Inspection References and Tools

Heavily detailed & illustrated manuals.

Damage types quantified and performance indices assigned.

Standards developed to quantify concrete cracking in reports.

Inspection vehicles equipped with field equipment, office space and bridge records.

Reports and Data Management Standardization of reports, forms, terms and condition

ratings

Digital photographs embedded in inspection reports

Designers required to identify critical areas to be inspected

Pull down menu of structural condition in software allowing automated generation of condition rating

Separate asset management systems for major structures

Training And Certification

A variety of approaches: technical educational requirements specialized training specific training for Inspector, Team Leader, & PM qualifying exam for each level

Match inspector experience with complexity of bridge. Keep, at minimum, a core of experts within agency.

Inspection Types and Frequencies

Detailed inspections every 5 to 6 years

Interim inspections focused on areas of interest identified in the detailed inspection

Annual inspections by maintenance Road workers routinely monitor and

report issues of structural condition

European road agencies typically inspect spans of two meters.

Inspection Types and Frequencies

Inspection frequency - based on: competency of the inspector inspector qualifications and

experience bridge type, condition, age, etc.

Competency standards provide assurance inspectors can safely determine the frequency.

Reference Bridges

Finnish use a population of 106 bridges and 26 culverts as a control sample

Data gathered is used to: Monitor bridge serviceability and durability over time Update deterioration models in bridge management

system Quality Control of data from non-Reference Bridges by

providing baseline data for comparison Training and evaluation of inspectors

Several agencies use bridges to be demolished to evaluate the effectiveness of NDT methods.

Reference Bridges

Data collected from Reference Bridges in Finland is analyzed to:

determine an inspectors personal “quality points” monitor trends in data quality and consistency

Quality points are used As part of procurement process To develop refresher training for inspectors

Finland requires QC plan in consultant agreements

Non Destructive Testing (NDT)

• Used primarily during in-depth inspections.

• Detailed references outlining appropriate use.

• Unique applications such as Ultrasonic Shear Wave Transducer.

Cause of Damage Determination

Inspectors Determine Cause of Failure

Inspectors are trained to assess damage to a structural element and recommend action based on:

structural stability, user safety & effect on the damaged component’s durability

Procedures to initiate actions based on the severity of the condition.

BASt SYSTEMCalculation of Condition Index

D=2

4 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0

3 3.2 3.4 3.6 3.8 4.0

2 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.9 4.0

1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.8 4.0

0 1.8 2.1 2.2 2.7 4.0

S/V 0 1 2 3 4

D=3

4 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0

3 3.3 3.5 3.7 3.9 4.0

2 2.8 3.0 3.1 3.2 4.0

1 2.7 2.8 2.9 3.0 4.0

0 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 4.0

S/V 0 1 2 3 4

Example:

S = 2 (Structural Stability)V = 2 (Traffic Safety)D = 3 (Durability)

DATA USAGE

• POOR to BAD– Replace

• GOOD to GREAT– PM

• FAIR– Urgency of Repair– Can it be Safely

Deferred?

FAIR

GOOD

POOR

OTHER

German DVD, “Inspection According to German Industrial Standard (DIN) No 1076”.

Intended for viewing by the general public, politicians, management officials, etc.

Provides support for bridge and structure inspection.

Inspection friendly, security wise details were also incorporated into the design of bridges on a routine basis

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Develop a nationally accepted basis for determining bridge inspection frequencies

• Draft national guidelines for developing QC/QA procedures for use by owners

• Develop a national integrated inspection - repair approach in bridge assessments

• Enhance FHWA coding guide will photos

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Develop a bridge inspection central resource of references and technologies

• Initiate demonstration project of Ultrasonic Shear Wave Transducer

• Interchange with Finnish Roads on the use of statistical methods for quality assurance

• Technical interchange between countries

Current and Planned Post-Trip Activities

Preliminary Summary Report – submitted

Finalize and disseminate final reportScan Technology Implementation Plan

Two NCHRP proposals (both submitted and under consideration)

Final STIP will be available October, 2007

Technology transfer activities

ILLUSTRATED INSPECTION MANUALS

GOALS

• National adoption of a QC/QA concepts that improve the consistency and uniformity of bridge inspections across the country

• A reliability based approach for inspection frequency

• An integrated approach to the inspection program

Bridge Evaluation Quality AssuranceBridge Evaluation Quality Assurance

Thank YouQuestions?