U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology
Coordinating, Developing, and Delivering Highway Transportation Innovations
| REPORT |
| This report is an archived publication and may contain dated technical, contact, and link information |
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| Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-16-007 Date: January 2016 |
Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-16-007 Date: January 2016 |
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Concrete Substructure Condition Assessment |
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1. |
Data Collected |
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| 1.1 | None. This protocol provides a list of protocols to guide visual inspection and data recording of the concrete substructure of a bridge or span. | |
2. |
Onsite Equipment and Personnel Requirements |
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| 2.1 | Equipment: None. | |
| 2.2 | Personnel: PRE-PL-LO-005, Personnel Qualifications. | |
3. |
Methodology |
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| 3.1 | Use the segmentation and numbering system for the superstructure (FLD-OP-SC-002, Structure Segmentation and Element Identification System) so defects can be located and noted by the unique element identifier. | |
| 3.2 | Use FLD-OP-SC-003, Determination of Local Origins for Elements, to establish a local origin on each element. | |
| 3.3 | For concrete pier caps, piers, pile caps, piles (if visible), footings, abutments, and wingwalls, use the following protocols for finding defects and recording characteristics: | |
| 3.4 | For each instance of spalling and delamination on the substructure: FLD-DC-VIC-004, Concrete Superstructure and Substructure—Spalls and Delamination. | |
| 3.4.1 | For each instance of cracking: FLD-DC-VIC-005, Concrete—Cracking | |
| 3.4.2 | For each instance of abrasion: FLD-DC-VIC-006, Concrete—Abrasion. | |
| 3.4.3 | For each instance of sulfate attack: FLD-DC-VIC-007, Concrete—Sulfate Attack. | |
| 3.5 | Documenting defects: | |
| 3.5.1 | Take photographs using FLD-DC-PH-002, Photographing for Documentation Purposes, and create a photo log. | |
| 3.5.2 | Use sketches as needed to document defects and supplement the photographs. | |
| 3.6 | Storing data, documents, and images: | |
| 3.6.1 | FLD-DS-LS-001, Data, Document, and Image Storage—Local, for local storage. | |
| 3.6.2 | FLD-DS-RS-001, Data, Document, and Image Storage—Remote, for remote storage. | |
| 3.7 | Reporting: Transfer all metadata, data, documents, and images to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and/or upload all metadata, data, documents, and images into the Long-Term Bridge Performance (LTBP) Bridge Portal. | |
4. |
Data Collection Table |
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| 4.1 | None. | |
5. |
Criteria for Data Validation |
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| 5.1 | None. | |
6. |
Commentary/Background |
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| 6.1 | This protocol provides guidance for planning the detailed visual inspection of a concrete bridge substructure that consists of reinforced or prestressed concrete members. | |
| 6.2 | The bridge substructure includes all elements supporting the superstructure and retaining the approach roadway backfill. These elements include piles, pile caps, piers, pier caps, footings, piles, drilled shafts, abutments (including breastwalls, bridge seats, and backwalls), wingwalls, columns, stemwalls, and cap beams. The substructure can be generalized as an abutment or pier/pier bent, which can be constructed of concrete, reinforced concrete, masonry, stone, steel, timber, or a combination of these materials. | |
7. |
References |
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| 7.1 | LTBP Protocols: | |
| 7.1.1 | PRE-PL-LO-004, Personal Health and Safety Plan. | |
| 7.1.2 | PRE-PL-LO-005, Personnel Qualifications. | |
| 7.1.3 | FLD-OP-SC-002, Structure Segmentation and Element Identification System. | |
| 7.1.4 | FLD-OP-SC-003, Determination of Local Origins for Elements. | |
| 7.1.5 | FLD-DC-VIC-004 Concrete Superstructure and Substructure—Spalls and Delamination. | |
| 7.1.6 | FLD-DC-VIC-005, Concrete—Cracking. | |
| 7.1.7 | FLD-DC-VIC-006, Concrete—Abrasion. | |
| 7.1.8 | FLD-DC-VIC-007, Concrete—Sulfate Attack. | |
| 7.1.9 | FLD-DC-PH-002, Photographing for Documentation Purposes. | |
| 7.1.10 | FLD-DS-LS-001, Data, Document, and Image Storage—Local. | |
| 7.1.11 | FLD-DS-RS-001, Data, Document, and Image Storage—Remote. | |
| 7.2 | External: | |
| 7.2.1 | FHWA-NHI-12-053, Bridge Inspector’s Reference Manual, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC, 2012. | |
