Maryland State Highway Administration Underwater Bridge Inspection Open-End

Client: Maryland State Highway Administration

Location: Maryland

Services: Marine Engineering

Video: Windows Media Player (100K), Windows Media Player (500K), Real Player (100K)

KCI was awarded two consecutive underwater bridge inspection contracts by the Maryland State Highway Administrations (MSHA). On these contracts KCI performed detailed hands-on condition inspections of underwater portions of substructure and foundation elements of MSHA owned bridges located throughout the state under each $500,000 open-end contract. Individual projects under this agreement were assigned to address both routine and emergency underwater inspections, evaluations, and load ratings. Underwater bridge condition inspections are required by the Federal Highway Administration on a 5-year maximum cycle. MSHA performs the inspections on a 4-year cycle to coincide with the condition inspection. The bridges were inspected by KCI’s in-house, OSHA required, 3-man dive teams which included the use of engineer-divers. The inspection team performed a hands-on-inspection on all substructure members from 1 foot above the waterline down to the mudline. Prior to the inspection, the team reviewed the inspection reports and plans of the structures to determine the need for special equipment such as work boats, decompression chambers, SCUBA vs. surface supplied air, and any special access requirements. In addition, field notes sheets based on the substructure units were prepared in advance of the inspection. PONTIS bridge management data sheets were also prepared for the submerged elements of the structure. When performing the inspection, KCI used the previously prepared sketches to record the condition of the bridge. Spalls and cracks in concrete members, decay, checking, pick penetrations and section loss in timber, and corrosion of steel members were recorded. The defects were accurately located and quantified so that an accurate comparison could be made to the previous reports and for future inspection reports. Diving work was accomplished using dry or wet suits and the diver was hard wired to the engineer on the surface so that constant communication was possible. For smaller bridges, SCUBA equipment was utilized. In all cases, the communication between diver and the engineer ensured that an accurate reporting of the condition was made. As an additional check, the engineer-diver reviewed the notes taken by the engineer prior to leaving the site. In addition to the condition evaluation of the structures, the inspection team took stream soundings at the structure and upstream and downstream. The soundings were taken at the same locations as the previous inspection so that a comparison could be made. Following the inspection, a report was prepared that included a summary of the inspection findings, photographs, field notes, SI&A and PONTIS data sheets, stream soundings, and recommendations for repair.

Underwater Bridge Inspection—Open-End, 1996-2002. Performed underwater inspections and prepared reports for 181 bridges from 1996-2002. Total includes 24 Hurricane Floyd emergency inspections.

Underwater Bridge Inspection—Open-End, 2002-2006 Performed underwater inspections and prepared reports for 186 bridges from 2002-2006. Total includes 35 Hurricane Isabel emergency inspections.

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