Topic outline

  • Inspection and Evaluation of Bridge Concrete Superstructures (Part I)

    Credits: 5 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    The Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Inspector’s Reference Manual (BIRM) is a comprehensive manual on programs, procedures, and techniques for inspecting and evaluating a variety of in-service highway bridges. BIRM serves as the basis of a comprehensive National Highway Institute training program in bridge-safety inspection. The present course is based on BIRM’s Sections 7.1-8, Common Concrete Superstructures, and discusses 1) cast-in-place slabs, 2) tee beams, 3) concrete girders, 4) concrete channel beams, 5) concrete arches and arch culverts, 6) concrete rigid frames, 7) precast and prestressed slabs, and 8) prestressed double tees.

    Topics:

    This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
    • Design characteristics for each bridge type
    • Construction characteristics
    • Distinguishing between concrete encased steel I-beam and tee-beam bridges
    • Typical maximum spans
    • Significance of cracks of various types and locations
    • Identification of primary members
    • Identification of secondary members
    • Steel reinforcement types and placement
    • Prestressed members
    • Common defects
    • Inspection procedures
    • Inspection locations for bearing areas, shear zones, tension zones, and for compression zones
    • Inspection locations for primary and secondary members
    • Inspection areas exposed to drainage and to traffic
    • Inspection areas previously repaired
    • Condition-state assessment element assessment

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course:


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: primarily for civil, construction, and structural engineers, and would be of particular interest to consulting engineers or to engineers serving in government organizations concerned with the safety of bridges.
    Publication Source: US DOT (Federal Highway Administration)


    Mark Rossow PhD, PE (retired)

    • Topic 1