Section outline

  • Inspection and Evaluation of Bridge Culverts

    Credits: 3 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    The Federal Highway Administrations’ 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 pp. P.3.1-P.3.36 of BIRM’s introductory section, Basic Concepts Primer, and treats the topic of culverts.

    Topics:

    This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
    • Differentiation between culverts and bridges
    • Structural characteristics of culverts
    • Culvert shapes
    • Culvert materials
    • Culvert end treatments
    • Hydraulics of culverts
    • Factors affecting culvert performance
    • Types and locations of culvert distress
    • Durability
    • Soil and water conditions that affect culverts
    • Culvert protective systems

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course:
    Click Here:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    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)