Underwater Inspection of Bridges

Federal Highway Administration1989PDFTech ReportCollins, Thomas J.Jarmakowicz, Richard J.Garlich, Michael J.Collins Engineers, Inc.United States. Federal Highway Administration. Demonstration Projects DivisionDecker, DennisUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Demonstration Projects DivisionUnited StatesInspectionBridgesScourUnderwater constructionMaintenanceFHWA-DP-80-1DTFH71-88-C-0023Decker, DennisTo ensure public safety and to protect the capital investment in bridges over water, underwater members must be inspected to the extent necessary to determine their structural condition with certainty. Underwater inspections must also include the streambed. In shallow water, underwater inspections may be accomplished visually or tactilely from above the water surface; in deep water, however, inspections will generally require diving or other appropriate techniques to determine conditions. Underwater diving, inspection, and documentation equipment has improved in quality in recent years, and the underwater inspector has a wide range of equipment and techniques available to him. The purpose of this manual is to provide guidelines for underwater bridge inspection; acquaint those responsible for bridge safety with underwater inspection techniques and equipment: and briefly present methods of repair for commonly found defects. It should be of interest to bridge and maintenance engineers, technicians and inspectors. This manual is a stand alone supplement to the Bridge Inspector's Training Manual and was prepared in accordance with its procedures and rating systems.120