Section outline

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

    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 7.9-12, Concrete Superstructures, and discusses 1) prestressed I-beams and bulb-tees, 2) prestressed box beams, 3) concrete box girders and 4) concrete box culverts.

    Topics:

    This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
    • Design characteristics for each bridge type and for concrete box culverts
    • Construction techniques Typical maximum spans
    • Determining if composite action is present
    • Significance of cracks of various types and locations
    • Identification of primary members
    • Identification of secondary members
    • Steel reinforcement types and placement
    • Common defects
    • Inspection procedures
    • Inspection locations for bearing areas, shear zones, tension zones, and for compression zones
    • 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:
    Click below to enroll:


    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.

    Important – Payment is required prior to printing of your certificate of completion.

    We operate on a trust-based model. You are welcome to complete Steps 1 through 3 to fully review the course material at your leisure. 

    When you are ready to download and print your Certificate of Completion, we ask that payment has been completed for either the Unlimited Plan or individual PDH credit(s). Clicking the download button below serves as your digital confirmation that payment has been made.

    For a quick overview of our site's policies, please click here: (FAQs)

    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)