1. |
Data Collected |
|
| 1.1 |
Condition and functioning of expansion joints and adjacent elements. |
|
|
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 |
Measuring wheel. |
|
| 2.1.6 |
Thermometer. |
|
| 2.1.7 |
Digital camera. |
|
| 2.1.8 |
Temporary marker. |
|
| 2.1.9 |
Pencil, sketch pad, and clipboard. |
|
| 2.2 |
Personnel: PRE-PL-LO-005, Personnel Qualifications. |
|
|
3. |
Methodology |
|
| 3.1 |
Measure the ambient air temperature at the top surface of the deck joint at the same time the joint openings are measured. Record the ambient temperature and the time of day when the temperature was measured. |
|
| 3.2 |
Use FLD-OP-SC-002, Structure Segmentation and Element Identification System, to identify the expansion joint being evaluated. |
|
| 3.3 |
Use FLD-OP-SC-003, Determination of Local Origins for Elements, to establish the local origin for each joint on the bridge. |
|
| 3.4 |
Identify and record if the joint is open or sealed. Record if the joint is armored or not. |
|
| 3.5 |
Measuring joint openings: |
|
| 3.5.1 |
Measure the joint opening at both ends and at midlength of the joint. Record the joint opening width and the y-coordinates of the points where the opening width is measured. |
|
| 3.5.2 |
Measure any horizontal misalignment at the ends of the joint. Record the amount of horizontal misalignment and the y-coordinates of the points where the horizontal misalignment is measured. |
|
| 3.5.3 |
Measure any vertical misalignments between the two sides of the joint. Record the amount of vertical misalignment and the y-coordinates of the points where the vertical misalignment is measured. |
|
| 3.6 |
Measuring vertical misalignment at the beginning of the bridge: |
|
| 3.6.1 |
Examine the vertical alignment between the top of each abutment backwall and the end of the approach slab at the end of the bridge where traffic enters. Measure any vertical misalignments between the abutment backwall and the end of the approach slab. Record the amount of vertical misalignment and the y-coordinates of the points where the vertical misalignment is measured. |
|
| 3.6.2 |
Record the difference in elevation, if any. |
|
| 3.7 |
Evaluation of elements adjacent to joints: |
|
| 3.7.1 |
Examine the concrete deck adjacent to the edge of the open joint (or adjacent to the joint armor, ifany) for cracks, delaminations, and spalling of the adjacent concrete. |
|
| 3.7.2 |
If the open joint is armored, examine the metal armor for cracks, corrosion, pitting, loss of section, and/or misaligned plates. |
|
| 3.7.3 |
Examine the drainage trough (if any) under the joint, and describe the type and extent of debris as well as any defects in the trough that result in leakage on the superstructure or substructure elements. |
|
| 3.7.4 |
Examine the abutment seat and walls, the bearings, and the beam ends below the joint opening for evidence of damage from leakage or water staining. |
|
| 3.7.5 |
Measure the total length of the joint where the abutment seat, backwall, bearings, and/or the beam ends below the joint show evidence of active water leakage or water stains. |
|
| 3.8 |
Evaluation of joint sealing material: |
|
| 3.8.1 |
Identify the specific type of joint seal, such as asphalt plug, compression seal, modular joint, etc. |
|
| 3.8.2 |
Record the type and amount of debris (if any) in the joint. |
|
| 3.8.3 |
Clear joint of all debris, if necessary, and examine the joint sealing material for cracks, splits, or gouges in the elastomeric material or the asphalt plug. Make note of any joint material that has separated from the joint sidewall or joint material that is loose and sticking above the top deck surface. |
|
| 3.9 |
Documenting defects: |
|
| 3.9.1 |
Take photographs of defects using FLD-DC-PH-002, Photographing for Documentation Purposes, and create a photo log. |
|
| 3.9.2 |
Use sketches to document section loss and cracking and supplement the photographs. |
|
| 3.10 |
Storing data, documents, and images: |
|
| 3.10.1 |
FLD-DS-LS-001, Data, Document, and Image Storage—Local, for local storage. |
|
| 3.10.2 |
FLD-DS-RS-001, Data, Document, and Image Storage—Remote, for remote storage. |
|
| 3.11 |
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 |
|
| 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 |
| 8 |
Ambient air temperature at deck level |
Number |
1 |
ºF |
Record the temperature at the time that the joint openings are measured |
Green |
| Open Joints and Sealed Joints |
Pink |
| 9 |
Joint number |
Text |
|
|
Evaluate and record data for each individual joint |
Blue |
| 10 |
Type of joint |
Predefined list |
|
|
Open joint
Sealed joint |
Yellow |
| 11 |
Is the joint armored? |
Predefined list |
|
|
Yes or No |
Yellow |
| 12 |
Joint openings |
Number |
0.125 |
in. |
Take three readings at each end and in the middle; record the opening and the y‑coordinates. |
Yellow |
| 13 |
Horizontal misalignment |
Number |
0.125 |
in. |
Take readings at each end of the joint; record the reading and the y-coordinates. |
Yellow |
| 14 |
Vertical misalignment of joint |
Number |
0.125 |
in. |
Take multiple readings, if necessary; record the amount of vertical misalignment and the y-coordinate. |
Yellow |
| 15 |
Vertical misalignment of abutment and approach slab/pavement |
Number |
0.125 |
in. |
Take multiple readings, if necessary; record the amount of vertical misalignment and the y-coordinate(s). |
Yellow |
| 16 |
Damage to adjacent deck slab |
Predefined list |
|
|
Select all that apply:
- Cracks
- Delamination
- Spalling
- Other (please specify in comments)
|
Yellow |
| 17 |
Length of joint with evidence of damage to the deck |
Number |
1 |
ft |
Sum of the individual lengths if more than one distinct length |
Yellow |
| 18 |
Damage to joint armoring (if any) |
Predefined list |
|
|
Select all that apply:
- Cracks
- Corrosion
- Pitting
- Loss of section
- Misaligned plates
- Other (please specify in comments)
|
Yellow |
| 19 |
Length of joint with evidence of damage to the joint armoring |
Number |
1 |
ft |
Sum of the individual lengths if more than one distinct length |
Yellow |
| 20 |
Condition of drainage trough (if any) |
Predefined list |
|
|
No visible defects
Dirt and/or debris
Cracks, tears, etc.
Other (please specify in comments) |
Yellow |
| 21 |
Length of joint with evidence of damage to the drainage trough |
|
|
|
Sum of the individual lengths if more than one distinct length |
Yellow |
| 22 |
Evidence of joint leakage |
Predefined list |
|
|
Select that apply:
- Deterioration of beam ends
- Corrosion/deterioration of bearings
- Damage to abutment cap or backwall
- Water/water stains on abutment elements
- Other (please specify in comments)
|
Yellow |
| 23 |
Length of joint with evidence of leakage |
Number |
1 |
ft |
Sum of the individual lengths if more than one distinct length |
Yellow |
| 24 |
Defect photos |
BLOB |
|
|
Document typical defects with photos |
Yellow |
| 25 |
Comments |
Text |
|
|
|
Orange |
| Sealed Joints Only |
Pink |
| 26 |
Type of joint seal |
Predefined list |
|
|
Asphalt plug
Compression seal
Reinforced elastomeric
Modular joint
Other |
Yellow |
| 27 |
Debris in the joint? |
Predefined list |
|
|
Yes or No |
Yellow |
| 28 |
Length of joint with debris |
Number |
1 |
ft |
Sum of the individual lengths if more than one distinct length |
Yellow |
| 29 |
Condition of anchor bolts (if any) |
Predefined list |
|
|
No visible defects
Corrosion present
Pitting rust
Loss of section
Cracking
Missing anchor bolts
Other (such as misaligned parts; specify under comments) |
Yellow |
| 30 |
Condition of joint seal material |
Predefined list |
|
|
No visible defects
Cracks, splits, or gouges
Joint material debonded from sides of joints
Joint material |
Yellow |
| 31 |
Location of defect in seal |
Number |
1 |
in. |
y-coordinates at the beginning and ending of the defect |
Yellow |
| 32 |
Defect photos |
BLOB |
|
|
Document typical defects with photos |
Yellow |
| 33 |
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 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 on evaluating the condition of expansion joints and for collecting data that help determine if the joint is functioning as intended. |
|
|
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-PH-002, Photographing for Documentation Purposes. |
|
| 7.1.6 |
FLD-DS-LS-001, Data, Document, and Image Storage—Local. |
|
| 7.1.7 |
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. |
|
