1. |
Data Collected |
|
| 1.1 |
Description and location of spalls and delaminations on concrete superstructures and substructures. |
|
|
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 (if necessary). |
|
| 2.1.3 |
Sounding hammer. |
|
| 2.1.4 |
Wire brush or hand broom. |
|
| 2.1.5 |
Tape measure. |
|
| 2.1.6 |
6-ft folding rule. |
|
| 2.1.7 |
Caliper. |
|
| 2.1.8 |
Waders or a boat (if necessary). |
|
| 2.1.9 |
Laser measuring device (optional). |
|
| 2.1.10 |
Temporary marker. |
|
| 2.1.11 |
Digital camera. |
|
| 2.1.12 |
Pencil, sketch pad, clipboard. |
|
| 2.2 |
Personnel: PRE-PL-LO-005, Personnel Qualifications. |
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|
3. |
Methodology |
|
| 3.1 |
Use the segmentation and numbering system (FLD-OP-SC-002, Structure Segmentation and Element Identification System) to locate and document defects 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 of the superstructure and substructure. Establish the two relevant coordinate axes for each face of each element being evaluated. |
|
| 3.3 |
Cleaning: Use the wire brush or hand broom to clean the concrete element by brushing away any debris so any defects are visible. |
|
| 3.4 |
Measuring, recording, and evaluating characteristics of spalls and delaminations: |
|
| 3.4.1 |
For any suspected defect area, strike the concrete surface with a sounding hammer, and listen for any hollow sounding areas in concrete; remove any loose concrete. |
|
| 3.4.2 |
Mark the limits of each area of delamination or spalling on the element with a temporary marker, and mark the corners of a rectangle that encompasses the maximum length and maximum width of the area of delamination or spalling. |
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| 3.4.3 |
Measure and record the dimensions of each area of delamination or spalling at its maximum length and width. |
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| 3.4.4 |
For each area of delamination or spalling on the element, document on which superstructure or substructure element (FLD-OP-SC-002, Structure Segmentation and Element Identification System) and on what area of the element the delamination or spalling is located. Using the element local origin as point (0,0,0), determine and record the coordinates of the four corners of the rectangle. |
|
| 3.5 |
For each instance of exposed steel reinforcement and tendons or strands: |
|
| 3.5.1 |
Record the type and unique element identifier of the element where the steel reinforcement and/or tendons or strands are exposed. |
|
| 3.5.2 |
Mark the length of the exposed steel reinforcement and/or tendons or strands with a temporary marker, and photograph the damage. |
|
| 3.5.3 |
Measure the length of the exposed steel reinforcement and/or tendons or strands. |
|
| 3.5.4 |
Document the location of exposed steel reinforcement and/or tendons or strands by determining and recording the coordinates of the beginning and the end of the affected portion of the element. |
|
| 3.5.5 |
Clean with a wire brush, and measure and record the amount of section loss in the exposed steel reinforcement and/or tendons or strands (if applicable). If necessary, obtain the original cross‑section from the existing documentation for the bridge (PRE-ED-BD-001, Plans and Specifications for Bridge Design and Construction). |
|
| 3.6 |
Documenting defects: |
|
| 3.6.1 |
Take photographs of defects using FLD-DC-PH-002, Photographing for Documentation Purposes, and create a photo log. |
|
| 3.6.2 |
Use sketches to document spalls and delaminations and supplement the photographs. |
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| 3.7 |
Storing data, documents, and images: |
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| 3.7.1 |
FLD-DS-LS-001, Data, Document, and Image Storage—Local, for local storage. |
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| 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: |
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| # |
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 Spalls and Delaminations |
Pink |
| 8 |
Location of the defect: element type and identifier |
Text |
|
|
Example: Pier P1; evaluate each element individually and record data on each individual defect |
Blue |
| 9 |
Location of the defect on the element |
Text |
|
|
Example: top of pier cap |
Yellow |
| 10 |
Type of defect |
Text |
|
|
Delamination
Spall |
Yellow |
| 11 |
Pair of coordinates used to locate the defect on element |
Text |
|
|
(x,y), (x,z), or (y,z) |
Yellow |
| 12 |
Location of corner 1 |
Number |
1 |
in. |
(x,y) coordinates of the four corners of a rectangle encompassing the deteriorated area |
Yellow |
| 13 |
Location of corner 2 |
Number |
1 |
in. |
Yellow |
| 14 |
Location of corner 3 |
Number |
1 |
in. |
Yellow |
| 15 |
Location of corner 4 |
Number |
1 |
in. |
Yellow |
| 16 |
Maximum length of the defect |
Number |
1 |
in. |
|
Yellow |
| 17 |
Maximum width of the defect |
Number |
1 |
in. |
|
Yellow |
| 18 |
Maximum depth of the defect |
Number |
0.125 |
in. |
|
Yellow |
| 19 |
Defect photos and/or sketches |
BLOB |
|
|
Document typical defects with photos and/or sketches |
Yellow |
| 20 |
Comments |
Text |
|
|
|
Orange |
| For Exposed Steel Reinforcement and/or Tendons/Strands |
Pink |
| 21 |
Location of the defect: element type and identifier |
Text |
|
|
Example: Girder 1A; evaluate each element individually and record data on each individual defect |
Blue |
| 22 |
Location of the defect on the element |
Text |
|
|
Example: bottom flange of girder |
Yellow |
| 23 |
Condition of reinforcement and/or prestressing strands or tendons |
Text |
|
|
Visible corroded section,
Loss of section, and/or
Other (specify under comments) |
Yellow |
| 24 |
Location of the beginning of the defect: x-coordinate |
Number |
1 |
in. |
Measured from the element local origin to the beginning of the defect
|
Yellow |
| 25 |
Location of the end of the defect: x‑coordinate |
Number |
1 |
in. |
Measured from the element local origin to the end of the defect |
Yellow |
| 26 |
Length of defect |
Number |
1 |
in. |
|
Yellow |
| 27 |
Defect photos |
BLOB |
|
|
Document typical defects with photos and/or sketches |
Yellow |
| 28 |
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 |
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|
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. |
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|
6. |
Commentary/Background |
|
| 6.1 |
This protocol provides guidance on locating and measuring the extent of spalls and delaminations on concrete superstructure and substructure elements. |
|
| 6.2 |
A spall is a depression in concrete caused by a separation of a portion of the surface concrete, revealing a fracture parallel with or slightly inclined to the surface. A delamination is a surface separation of concrete into layers. Spalls and delaminations may have numerous and distinct causes, including the following: |
|
| 6.2.1 |
Collisions. |
|
| 6.2.2 |
Earthquakes. |
|
| 6.2.3 |
Overstresses. |
|
| 6.2.4 |
Alkali-silica reaction (ASR). |
|
| 6.2.5 |
Reinforcement/prestressing corrosion. |
|
| 6.2.6 |
Formation of ettringite. |
|
| 6.2.7 |
Freeze-thaw cycling. |
|
| 6.3 |
Spalls are identified by a loss of concrete material from the surface and may be several inches deep. A delamination might eventually result in a loss of material (i.e., become a spall). Both defects may change the structural performance of the component or expose reinforcement or prestressing tendons/strands to corrosive agents. |
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|
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 |
PRE-ED-BD-001, Plans and Specifications for Bridge Design and Construction. |
|
| 7.1.4 |
FLD-OP-SC-002, Structure Segmentation and Element Identification System. |
|
| 7.1.5 |
FLD-OP-SC-003, Determination of Local Origins for Elements. |
|
| 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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