Using expert opinion to quantify accuracy and reliability of nondestructive evaluation on bridges.

PDFTech ReportMPC 15-288BridgesInspectionNondestructive testsAccuracyReliabilityDelphi methodEvaluationLiterature reviewsSurveysUnited StatesMountain Plains ConsortiumHesse, AlexAtadero, RebeccaOzbek, MehmetColorado State UniversityUnited States. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Innovative Technology AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionBridge inspection is an important phase in bridge management. In 2009, a joint American Society of CivilEngineers Structural Engineering Institute and AASHTO Ad-Hoc group was created to identify the issuesin bridge safety and to study current bridge practices. This group recommended: \ue2\u20ac\u153A more rational, risk-based approach to determining the appropriate inspection intervals for bridges is needed, as opposed to aset twenty-four month cycle for all bridges.\ue2\u20ac? The committee also recommended a wider use of NDEmethods. The difficulty in increasing the use of these NDE methods is the increased costs and time spent.One way to deal with this is to implement risk-based planning. Although to do this, the accuracy,reliability, bias, and cost of each test must be quantified. This study attempts to quantify these parametersfor common bridge NDE methods. This was done through two methods. First, a literature review wasperformed to determine common NDE methods and data were found for these methods. Second, a Delphimethod survey was conducted to develop a broader range of data that matches real life practices. All ofthe data were then analyzed and conclusions were drawn to quantify the various parameters for theseNDE methods