Contact:
Glenn Washer (glenn.washer@fhwa.dot.gov)
Abstract:
Visual Inspection is the predominant nondestructive evaluation technique used in bridge inspections. However, since implementation of the National
Bridge Inspection Standards in 1971, a comprehensive study of the reliability of Visual Inspection as it relates to highway bridge inspections has not been conducted.The goals of the study include: providing overall measures of the accuracy and reliability of Routine and In-Depth Visual Inspections, studying the influence of several key factors that affect Routine and In-Depth Inspections, and studying the differences between State inspection procedures and reports.
Ten inspection tasks were performed at seven test bridges using State bridge
inspectors. The sample of participating inspectors included 49 inspectors
from 25 State agencies. Inspectors were provided with common information,
instruction, and tools. Inspector characteristics were measured through
self-report questionnaires, interviews, and direct measurements.
Routine Inspections were completed with significant variability, and the Condition
Ratings assigned varied over a range of up to five different ratings.
It is predicted that only 68 percent of the Condition Ratings will vary
within one rating point of the average, and 95 percent will vary within
two points. Factors that appeared to correlate with Routine Inspection
results include Fear of Traffic; Visual Acuity and Color Vision; Light
Intensity; Inspector Rushed Level; and perceptions of Maintenance, Complexity,
and Accessibility.
In-Depth Inspections using Visual Inspection alone are not likely to
detect or identify the specific types of defects for which the inspection
is prescribed, and may not reveal deficiencies beyond those that could
be noted during a Routine Inspection. The overall thoroughness with which
inspectors completed one of the In-Depth tasks tended to have an impact
on the likelihood of an inspector detecting weld crack indications. Other
factors that may be related to In-Depth Inspection accuracy include: time
to complete inspection, comfort with access equipment and heights, structure
complexity and accessibility, viewing of welds, flashlight use, and number
of annual inspections performed.
The State procedural and reporting tasks indicated that most States follow
similar procedural and reporting criteria. Several inconsistencies were
noted with the use of the element-level inspection systems, but it is
not known if these variations are the result of State practices or inspector
use. Deck delamination surveys were found to have significant variability,
with only a few teams performing a delamination survey as part of the
Routine Inspection.
Learn more about Visual Inspection.