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    Inspection and Evaluation of Bridge Decks

    Credits: 6 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 BIRM’s Section 5, Inspection and Evaluation of Bridge Decks. Topics considered are timber decks, concrete decks, steel decks, deck joints, drainage systems, lighting, signs and safety features.

    Topics:

    This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
    • Inspection procedures and locations for timber, concrete, and steel decks
    • Design characteristics for timber, concrete, and steel decks
    • Wearing surfaces for timber, concrete, and steel decks
    • Protective systems for timber, concrete, and steel decks
    • Common defects for timber, concrete, and steel decks
    • Function of deck joints, drainage systems, lighting and signs
    • Components of deck joints, drainage systems, lighting and signs
    • Common problems of deck joints, drainage systems
    • Safety features - basic components: bridge railings, transitions, approach guardrail, approach guardrail ends, median barriers
    • Safety features - design criteria

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course:
    Click below to enroll:
    (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: 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)

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