Recommended Citation
Campbell, L. E., Snyder, L. R., Whitehead, J. M., Connor, R. J., & Lloyd, J. B. (2019). Probability of detection study for visual inspection of steel bridge: Volume I—Executive summary (Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2019/21). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284317103
DOI
10.5703/1288284317103
Abstract
An inspector’s ability to correctly identify surface and internal defects in steel bridge components is critical to protecting public safety. Ensuring that inspectors are properly trained and adequately equipped to detect these defects in locations that are difficult to access and/or in unfavorable environmental conditions must be a high priority. While the Federal Highway Administration and individual state departments of transportation have guidelines for inspector qualifications, trainings, and certifications, there is very little emphasis placed on evaluating or “testing” a given inspector’s capability to characterize detect defects in the field. As a result, there is also very little if any data on how well a given inspector actually performs or the variability which can be expected between various inspectors. This comprehensive Probability of Detection (POD) study was conducted to establish the ability of an inspector with the current required training to locate cracks in steel bridge components using typical visual inspection techniques.
Report Number
FHWA/IN/JTRP-2019/21
Keywords
bridge inspection, fatigue cracking, probability of detection
SPR Number
3820
Performing Organization
Joint Transportation Research Program
Sponsoring Organization
Indiana Department of Transportation
Publisher Place
West Lafayette, IN
Date of this Version
2019