Bridge Intelligence

  Fracture critical bridges , characterized by their structural vulnerability to catastrophic failure if a key component is compromised, demand meticulous inspection and maintenance to ensure public safety and structural integrity. Achieving precision and accuracy in fracture critical bridge inspections is paramount to detect potential defects, assess structural health, and prioritize maintenance activities effectively. This blog delves into essential strategies and best practices for enhancing accuracy in fracture critical bridge inspections, safeguarding critical infrastructure and ensuring safe passage for all. Understanding Fracture Critical Bridge Inspections: Fracture critical bridges are defined by their design where the failure of a single component could lead to collapse. Given their critical nature, regular inspections are imperative to identify any signs of deterioration, fatigue, or structural deficiencies that could compromise the bridge's safety and functionality. Key...

  The maintenance and inspection of bridges are critical tasks to ensure the safety and longevity of these vital structures. Traditional methods of bridge inspection and reporting often involve cumbersome paperwork and manual processes, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors. In this blog post, we will explore how modern bridge inspection software is revolutionizing the way inspections are conducted, streamlining reporting processes, and improving overall efficiency in bridge maintenance. The Importance of Bridge Inspections: Regular bridge inspections are essential to assess the structural integrity of bridges, identify potential issues, and prioritize maintenance and repair efforts. By conducting thorough inspections, engineers and inspectors can ensure the safety of the traveling public and extend the lifespan of these critical infrastructure assets. Challenges of Traditional Inspection Reporting: Traditional methods of bridge inspection reporting typically involve hand...

Back in 1967, the sudden collapse of the Silver Bridge in West Virginia showed that if a single member fails, it could cause the entire bridge to fail, too. This is where the concept of fracture critical bridges (FC) comes into play. Before heading over there, though, it’s crucial to understand the term “redundancy” and its role in identifying FC bridges. ‍ What is bridge redundancy? Bridge redundancy is a bridge’s capability to carry loads after one of its structural components reaches its maximum load-carrying capacity, or if one or more of its components fails or gets damaged. If a bridge can carry loads or traffic despite the failure of any of its members, the structure is considered redundant. What are the types of redundancy? There are three different types of redundancy in bridges: ‍ 1. Load path redundancy Load path redundancy relates to the minimum number of primary load-carrying members (like girders or trusses) needed to support the deck. According to the  National Bridg...

With the recent launch of the   National Bridge Inspection Standards   (NBIS), 2022, there have been updates to the administration of inspection programs for highway bridge components and elements across the United States. Read Now: FHWA's Updated NBIS 2022 While outlining the updates, this blog post introduces you to the inspection and evaluation methods for the three major components of a bridge. Let us take a closer look. What are bridge components? Put simply, bridge components are the main parts of a bridge. Most bridges can be primarily divided into the following three parts or components: 1. Deck The bridge component on which the live traffic load is directly applied is called the deck. A deck should provide a smooth surface for pedestrians or vehicles using the bridge.   Bridge Deck On some bridges, the deck transfers the live load directly to the superstructure. However, on other bridges, such as concrete slab ones, both the deck and the superstructure may distri...