Maintenance & Inspection

NEBPP: Bridge Washing Update

The Northeast Bridge Preservation Partnership’s (NEBPP’s) Working Group on Bridge Washing has produced a PowerPoint update featuring FHWA funding agreements and environmental requirements.

• Download the PowerPoint Presentation (.pptx)

The Working Group has added the following bridge washing information from Michigan, New York State, Pennsylvania, and Washington State.

• Download Michigan DOT Response
• Download New York State DOT Answers
• Download Pennsylvania DOT Evaluation of Bridge Cleaning
• Download Pennsylvania DOT Response
• Download Washington State DOT Response

MWBPP: Systematic Preventive Maintenance Surveys

The Midwest Bridge Preservation Partnership’s Systematic Preventive Maintenance Working Group has completed two surveys of MWBPP states. These survey results may be accessed and downloaded in the following (.docx) files.

• MWBPP Survey of Systematic Preventive Maintenance Programs-1 [2013-06-11]
• MWBPP Survey of Systematic Preventive Maintenance Programs [2013-09-01]
• MWBPP Survey of Systematic Preventive Maintenance Programs [2016-11-01]

Concrete Column Repair Survey

The MWBPP Working Group “Regional Specifications & Product Evaluation Database” has developed and administered a survey of “Concrete Column Repair” practices.

Read the Survey Results (.docx)

Kentucky Structural Steel Racking Repairs on NB I-75 Bridge over Lynn Camp Creek at MP 27.9, June 2014

A fracture was discovered in a steel girder of the NB I-75 Bridge over Lynn Camp Creek at mile post 27.9 during a routine Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) bridge inspection. The girder was repaired and a report written.

Download the Repair Report (.pdf)

Instrumentation of the U.S. Grant Bridge Over the Ohio River

The replacement of the US Grant Bridge over the Ohio River in Portsmouth, OH, was initiated in
2001 when the original bridge was closed and demolished, and its substitute opened in 2006. The
new design is a steel cable stay design with steel girders and floor-beams supporting a post-tensioned concrete deck system nearly 65’ wide carrying one lane of traffic in each direction. The combination of epoxy-coating, grout filling, and outer tubing provides protection for the all-important structural cabling suspension system from both weather and corrosion. Ironically, however, these same features make it impossible to gain direct access to either the cables or the interior of the anchorages which, in turn, presents special challenges for inspection and rehabilitation of these critical bridge components on bridges of this type. It was envisioned that its long-term behavior and any associated changes in its structural condition could be best understood with the aid of a longitudinal study beginning during bridge construction, one that includes instrumented monitoring of both construction/erection and in-service phases of the life of this bridge. Such an approach, integrated with traditional bridge management techniques, would help lead to a safe and economical realization of the 100-year design life of this structure. A health monitoring system for the bridge would be designed, planned, and implemented, with data collection and archival throughout its construction and ultimately an automated, user-friendly interface on a dedicated website.

Download the Study Report (.pdf)

Washington State DOT’s Bridge Washing Procedures

Washington State DOT has undertaken two studies related to bridge washing.

The first study is titled “Standard Practice for Washing and Cleaning Concrete Bridge Decks and Substructure Bridge Seats Including Bridge Bearings and Expansion Joints to Prevent Structural Deterioration”.  This study examined the perceived costs and benefits of routine washing of both steel and concrete bridges with emphasis on substructure seats and bridge decks by exploring current practices around the US.

Download the First Study Report (.docx)

The second study is titled “Determining the Cost/Benefit of Routine Maintenance Cleaning of Steel Bridges to Prevent Structural Deterioration”.  The objective of this study was to identify the key variables necessary in estimating the impact of regular washing of steel bridges on the paint and service life, recommend methods for recording data in order to most effectively estimate the benefits of bridge washing, and to develop a framework for assessing the impact of bridge washing on paint life.

Download the Second Study Report (.pdf)

Utah’s Construction Inspection Guide

The Utah DOT has reported the development of an online ‘Construction Inspection Guide’ as a means of training and to address turnover / loss of experience. The guide is comprehensive and visual, including checklists, training presentations, and even some embedded videos (see Pavements chapter). The guide helps inspectors throughout the agency be consistent and gain a rapid understanding of critical issues surrounding all construction phases. This Guide should be of interest to agency staff, especially those newer to construction or as a refresher on some topics.