Inspection and Evaluation of Bridge Decks and Areas Adjacent to Bridge Decks

Course Description:

The Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Inspectors Reference Manual (BIRM) is a comprehensive manual on programs, procedures, and techniques for inspecting and evaluating a variety of in-service highway bridges. BIRM serves as the basis of a comprehensive National Highway Institute training program in bridge-safety inspection. The present course is based on BIRM’s Chapter 7, Inspection and Evaluation of Bridge Decks and Areas Adjacent to Bridge Decks, and discusses

·         Timber decks

·         Concrete decks

·         Fiber reinforced polymer decks

·         Steel decks

·         Deck joints, drainage systems, and lighting and signs

·         Safety features

Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Be familiar with design characteristics for timber, concrete, steel, and fiber reinforced polymer decks
• Know wearing surfaces for decks
• Be cognizant of protective systems
• Understand principles of common deck defects
• Be acquainted with inspection procedures and locations
• Recognize the principles of evaluation for decks
• Know principles of identification and appraisal for safety components
• Understand principles for safety features design criteria
• Recognize the principles of crash testing criteria in ensuring component safety.