1. |
Data Collected |
|
| 1.1 |
Description and location of each instance of cracking, deflection, distortion, rotation, and buckling, as well as any damage from strikes by vehicles, ships, or floating debris. |
|
|
2. |
Onsite Equipment and Personnel Requirements |
|
| 2.1 |
Equipment: |
|
| 2.1.1 |
PRE-PL-LO-004, Personal Health and Safety Plan. |
|
| 2.1.2 |
Ladder, access platform, snooper, bucket truck, man lift, and/or high-reach equipment. |
|
| 2.1.3 |
Tape measure. |
|
| 2.1.4 |
6-ft folding rule. |
|
| 2.1.5 |
Slide caliper. |
|
| 2.1.6 |
Crack comparison cards. |
|
| 2.1.7 |
Sounding hammer. |
|
| 2.1.8 |
Wire brush or hand broom. |
|
| 2.1.9 |
Hand scraper (for paint and rust remover). |
|
| 2.1.10 |
Plumb bob. |
|
| 2.1.11 |
Hand compass or other angle measuring device. |
|
| 2.1.12 |
Level. |
|
| 2.1.13 |
Laser measuring device (optional). |
|
| 2.1.14 |
Temporary marker. |
|
| 2.1.15 |
Digital camera. |
|
| 2.1.16 |
Pencil, sketch pad, and clipboard. |
|
| 2.2 |
Personnel: PRE-PL-LO-005, Personnel Qualifications. |
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|
3. |
Methodology |
|
| 3.1 |
Use the segmentation and numbering system for the superstructure (FLD-OP-SC-002, Structure Segmentation and Element Identification System) to locate and document defects according to the unique element identifier. |
|
| 3.2 |
Use FLD-OP-SC-003, Determination of Local Origins for Elements, to establish a local origin on each individual element. Establish the two relevant coordinate axes for each face of each element being evaluated. |
|
| 3.3 |
Cleaning: |
|
| 3.3.1 |
Use the hammer, scraper, and/or wire brush to clean loose, deteriorated protective coating and loose surface corrosion, if any are present. |
|
| 3.4 |
After cleaning, if areas of section loss in the steel are evident, follow FLD-DC-VIC-003, Steel Superstructure—Section Loss, for the elements where section loss is noted. |
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| 3.5 |
For each element of the steel superstructure, identify and document each instance of the following defects: |
|
| 3.5.1 |
Cracks: |
|
| 3.5.1.1 |
Mark the ends of each crack on the superstructure element with a temporary marker, and photograph the crack. |
|
| 3.5.1.2 |
Record the type and unique element identifier of the superstructure element where the crack is located. |
|
| 3.5.1.3 |
Record the location of the beginning and the end of each crack by measuring the coordinates from the local grid origin. |
|
| 3.5.1.4 |
Measure the length of the crack in a straight line from one end of the crack to the other using the tape measure, folding rule, measuring wheel, or laser measuring device. |
|
| 3.5.1.5 |
Measure the orientation of the crack (degrees) using a plumb bob, compass, or other angle- measuring device. |
|
| 3.5.1.6 |
Measure the crack width (opening) with the crack comparator (crack gage) at the maximum width. |
|
| 3.5.1.7 |
Measure or estimate the depth of the crack at the deepest point. |
|
| 3.5.1.8 |
Document any rust present in the crack using FLD-DC-VIC-002, Steel Superstructure—Corrosion. |
|
| 3.5.2 |
Deflections, uplifts, distortions, or buckling: |
|
| 3.5.2.1 |
Record the type and unique element identifier of the superstructure element where the deflection, uplift, distortion, or buckling is located. If possible, photograph the defect. |
|
| 3.5.2.2 |
Document the location of the deflection, uplift, distortion, or buckling by determining the coordinates of the beginning and the end of the affected portion of the element. |
|
| 3.5.2.3 |
Measure the amount of deflection, uplift, distortion, or buckling using a tape measure, folding rule, or laser measuring device. |
|
| 3.5.3 |
Rotation: |
|
| 3.5.3.1 |
Record the type and unique element identifier of the superstructure element where the rotation is located. If possible, photograph the rotation. |
|
| 3.5.3.2 |
Document the location of the rotation by determining the coordinates of the beginning and the end of the affected portion of the element. |
|
| 3.5.3.3 |
Measure the amount of rotation (degrees) using a plumb bob, compass, angle-measuring device, or laser measuring device. |
|
| 3.5.4 |
Impact damage: |
|
| 3.5.4.1 |
Record the type and unique element identifier of the superstructure element where the impact damage is located and photograph the damage. |
|
| 3.5.4.2 |
Mark the extent (length, width, depth) of the impact damage with a temporary marker, and photograph the damage. |
|
| 3.5.4.3 |
Measure the extent (length, width, and/or depth) of the impact damage. |
|
| 3.5.4.4 |
Document the location of the impact damage by determining and recording the coordinates of the beginning and the end of the affected portion of the element. |
|
| 3.6 |
Documenting defects: |
|
| 3.6.1 |
Take photographs to document the defects using FLD-DC-PH-002, Photographing for Documentation Purposes, and create a photo log. |
|
| 3.6.2 |
Use sketches to document defects and supplement the photographs. |
|
| 3.7 |
Storing data, documents, and images: |
|
| 3.7.1 |
FLD-DS-LS-001, Data, Document, and Image Storage—Local, for local storage. |
|
| 3.7.2 |
FLD-DS-RS-001, Data, Document, and Image Storage—Remote, for remote storage. |
|
| 3.8 |
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. |
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|
4. |
Data Collection Table |
|
| 4.1 |
Table: |
|
| # |
Field Name |
Data Type |
Accuracy |
Unit |
Field Description |
Row Color |
| 1 |
State |
Text |
|
|
State Code, e.g., Virginia = VA |
Green |
| 2 |
NBI structure number |
Text |
|
|
Item 8, structure number, from NBI Coding Guide |
Green |
| 3 |
Structure name |
Text |
|
|
Descriptive name for the bridge, e.g., Route 15 SB over I–66 |
Green |
| 4 |
Protocol name |
Text |
|
|
Title of the protocol |
Green |
| 5 |
Protocol version |
Text |
Month and year |
|
Month and year the protocol version was published; e.g., May 2015 |
Green |
| 6 |
Personnel performing data collection activities |
Text |
|
|
First name(s) last name(s) |
Green |
| 7 |
Date data were collected |
Text |
Exact date |
|
mm/dd/yyyy |
Green |
| For Individual Cracks on a Steel Element |
Pink |
| 8 |
Location of crack: element type and number |
Text |
|
|
Example: Girder, 1A; evaluate and record data for cracks in each individual element |
Blue |
| 9 |
Location of crack on the element |
Text |
|
|
Examples: in the top flange; in the weld at the third longitudinal stiffener from the bottom |
Yellow |
| 10 |
Location of the start of the crack |
Number |
1 |
in. |
(x,y,z) coordinates of the ends of the crack |
Yellow |
| 11 |
Location of the end of the crack |
Number |
1 |
in. |
Yellow |
| 12 |
Crack length |
Number |
0.125 |
in. |
Measured in a straight line from the beginning to the end of the crack |
Yellow |
| 13 |
Axes used to determine crack orientation |
Text |
|
|
Example: x and y |
Yellow |
| 14 |
Crack orientation |
Number |
1 |
Degrees |
Based on the angle between the line of the crack and the axis of the local coordinate system for the element |
Yellow |
| 15 |
Maximum crack width |
Number |
0.125 |
in. |
|
Yellow |
| 16 |
Maximum crack depth |
Number |
0.125 |
in. |
|
Yellow |
| 17 |
Presence of rust at crack |
List |
|
|
Yes or No |
Yellow |
| 18 |
Comments |
Text |
|
|
|
Orange |
| For Deflection, Uplift, Distortion, or Buckling on a Steel Element |
Pink |
| 19 |
Location of defect: element type and number |
Text |
|
|
Evaluate and record data for deflection, uplift, distortion, or buckling in each individual element |
Blue |
| 20 |
Type of defect |
Text |
|
|
Deflection
Uplift
Distortion
Buckling |
Yellow |
| 21 |
Amount of deflection, uplift, distortion, or buckling |
Number |
0.125 |
in. |
|
Yellow |
| 22 |
Comments |
Text |
|
|
|
Orange |
| For Rotation on a Steel Element |
Pink |
| 23 |
Location of the rotation: element type and number |
Text |
|
|
Example: Girder, 1A; evaluate and record data for cracks in each individual element |
Blue |
| 24 |
Location on element of rotation |
Text |
|
|
|
Yellow |
| 25 |
Amount of rotation |
Number |
1 |
Degrees |
|
Yellow |
| 26 |
Comments |
Text |
|
|
|
Orange |
| For Impact Damage on a Steel Element |
Pink |
| 27 |
Location of impact damage: element type and number |
Text |
|
|
Example: Girder, 1A; evaluate and record data for cracks in each individual element |
Blue |
| 28 |
Location of the beginning of the impact damage: x‑coordinate |
Number |
1 |
in. |
Measured from the element local origin to the beginning of the impact damage |
Yellow |
| 29 |
Location of the end of the impact damage: x‑coordinate |
Number |
1 |
in. |
Measured from the element local origin to the end of the impact damage |
Yellow |
| 30 |
Length of impact damage |
Number |
1 |
in. |
|
Yellow |
| 31 |
Width of impact damage |
Number |
1 |
in. |
|
Yellow |
| 32 |
Depth of impact damage |
Number |
1 |
in. |
|
Yellow |
| 33 |
Defect photos and sketches |
BLOB |
|
|
Document all defects with photos and/or sketches |
Yellow |
| 34 |
Comments |
Text |
|
|
|
Orange |
|
| 4.2 |
Table Key: |
|
| Column Descriptions |
# |
Sequential number of data item |
Field Name |
Data field name |
Data Type |
Type of data, such as text, number, predefined list, binary large object (BLOB), or PDF file |
Accuracy |
Accuracy to which the data are recorded |
Unit |
Unit in which a measurement is taken and recorded |
Field Description |
Commentary on the data or list of items in a predefined list |
| Row Color Key |
Green |
Data items only entered once for each protocol for each day the protocol is applied |
Pink |
Logical breakdown of data by elements or defect types (not always used) |
Blue |
Data identifying the element being evaluated or the type of defect being identified |
Yellow |
LTBP data reported individually for each element or defect identified |
Orange |
Comments on the data collection or data entered |
|
|
5. |
Criteria for Data Validation |
|
| 5.1 |
Compare measurements with measurements from previous inspections of the same structure to make sure that values make sense. |
|
| 5.2 |
Compare measurements with photo documentation to make sure results shown in photos are consistent with items measured. |
|
| 5.3 |
If an element’s condition is improved when compared to the condition documented in a previous inspection, check with the State department of transportation to determine if any maintenance, repair, and/or bridge preservation actions have occurred. If so, document these maintenance, repair, and/or bridge preservation actions using appropriate protocols. |
|
|
6. |
Commentary/Background |
|
| 6.1 |
This protocol provides guidance for identifying different types of defects on steel elements and documenting the location and extent of the defect. |
|
| 6.2 |
A steel superstructure can consist of girders (rolled beams, rolled beams with a cover plate, or plate girders), floor beams and stringers (concrete encased, rolled beams, or rolled beams with welded or bolted plates), cross-frames, diaphragms, and vertical and/or horizontal stiffeners. |
|
| 6.3 |
Truss structures may have built-up sections for top and bottom chords, vertical and diagonal elements/members, lateral and sway frame bracings, and gusset plates. |
|
| 6.4 |
Impact damage can result from strikes by vehicles, ships, trains, or debris. |
|
|
7. |
References |
|
| 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-VIS002, Steel Superstructure—Corrosion. |
|
| 7.1.6 |
FLD-DC-PH-002, Photographing for Documentation Purposes. |
|
| 7.1.7 |
FLD-DS-LS-001, Data, Document, and Image Storage—Local. |
|
| 7.1.8 |
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. |
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