A bridge inspector is a civil engineering specialist who assesses load capacity and performs condition assessments on aging bridge structures. They require a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and must continually educate themselves. They learn how to build sound bridges that meet regulatory and environmental requirements and exceed permitted safety measures. They perform damage inspections and use mathematical calculations to assess steel column load capacity and strength. New assessment techniques such as magnetic particle and ultrasonic inspection are being used more frequently.
A bridge inspector is a civil engineering construction specialist. Inspectors are familiar with the load capacity analysis system required for the design of bridges, parking lots and other transportation-related structures. Additionally, they are able to perform condition assessments on aging bridge structures and often add input to the rehabilitation project for public highway construction. A bridge surveyor is also generally part of a team that has been involved in the commercial development of new road infrastructure since its inception.
At a minimum, in the United States, a bridge inspector holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and must be continually educated and apply for certification. Their work requires an understanding of a broad range of history and precedents in bridge design and maintenance. Typically in the United States, he will be a citizen who works within guidelines set by the federal and state governments and is responsible for applying National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) to his job.
As a novice team player, a bridge inspector gains experience in bridge structure, construction, and how those elements operate under various stressors toward a comprehensive understanding of structural behavior. For all practical purposes, he will learn how to build a sound bridge that meets various regulatory and environmental requirements and exceeds permitted safety measures for public use. It is not unusual for him to need a few years of apprenticeship before he can work with an experienced crew.
An experienced bridge inspector is often called in to perform damage inspections. These examinations are intended to assess the structural damage that results from environmental or human actions over time. There is an expression used in federal inspections called “critical fracture practice inspection,” which means that the worker must physically place their hands on the fracture (also referred to as the area of tension) regardless of where it is. Whether in the air or underwater, a bridge inspector can be found who performs all tests set forth by the program manager.
Steel column load capacity and strength are just two of the mathematical calculations bridge inspectors are faced with on a daily basis. Due to the vulnerability of structures after a flood event or other type of catastrophe (from collisions to fires), they are often found on the road. Once in place, a bridge inspector will look for fatigue cracks, corrosion, and sometimes don scuba equipment to study the construction below the water’s surface to monitor for the presence of “scrape,” a harmful sediment.
New assessment techniques such as magnetic particle and ultrasonic inspection are being used more frequently, helping to increase standard visual inspection in practice. Some bridges have been equipped with acoustic emission monitors that detect the sounds made when a crack develops.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
