Highway & Bridge Inspection Procedures Flashcards

During a routine bridge inspection, an inspector notices efflorescence on a concrete pier. What does this indicate?

Answer: Water infiltration and potential leaching of calcium hydroxide

Efflorescence is a white crystalline deposit caused by water moving through concrete and leaching calcium hydroxide to the surface, indicating moisture infiltration.

What is the primary purpose of the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Element Inspection (MBEI)?

Answer: To standardize element-level condition ratings and quantities

The MBEI establishes standardized element-level condition states and quantities for consistent bridge inspection data collection across agencies.

A Kansas inspector observes transverse cracking in a reinforced concrete bridge deck at regular intervals. The most likely cause is:

Answer: Shrinkage and thermal stresses during curing

Regularly spaced transverse cracks in bridge decks are typically caused by concrete shrinkage and thermal contraction stresses during and after curing.

Under FHWA regulations, what is the maximum interval allowed between routine bridge inspections for most bridges?

Answer: 24 months

FHWA regulations (23 CFR 650) require routine bridge inspections at intervals not exceeding 24 months for most bridges.

When inspecting a steel girder bridge, spalling of the concrete deck over a girder flange is most likely caused by:

Answer: Corrosion of embedded reinforcing steel causing expansion

Corrosion of reinforcing steel expands the metal, generating internal pressure that causes the overlying concrete to crack and spall.

Which NBI condition rating indicates that a bridge element has suffered serious deterioration or loss of cross-section but is still functional?

Answer: Rating 4

NBI condition rating 4 (Poor) indicates serious deterioration or section loss but the bridge element is still functional, not imminently failing.

An inspector performing an underwater bridge inspection encounters zero-visibility conditions. The appropriate action is to:

Answer: Use tactile (touch) inspection methods per KDOT protocols

When underwater visibility is zero, KDOT and FHWA protocols require tactile inspection methods where divers physically feel elements to assess conditions.