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InspectionOnline self-study

Element-Level Inspection Fundamentals (MBEI)

1 PDH · about 60 minutes · Course no. BR-I04 · Instructor: Michael Craig, PE

About the instructor

Michael Craig, PE is Senior Vice President and Southeast Director at Strinteg Corporation, leading bridge inspection and structural engineering across eight states and Puerto Rico. In 27+ years he has inspected over 4,000 structures and completed 3,000+ load ratings and 160+ load tests. He has managed repair and preservation design for complex bridges, including cable-stayed bridges. He holds PE licenses in twelve states, DC and Puerto Rico, SPRAT Level 1, and FAA Part 107 credentials.

Element-level inspection breaks a bridge into elements and records how much of each is in each condition state. NBIS requires it for NHS bridges per the AASHTO MBEI. This course covers element types, condition states and quantity rules.

⬇ Download study guide (PDF)

Learning objectives

  • Explain element types: NBEs, BMEs and ADEs
  • Assign condition states 1 through 4
  • Quantify defects in the correct units
  • Use protective-system and wearing-surface elements

Outline

  1. Why element-level data
  2. Element types
  3. Condition states
  4. Protective systems and wearing surfaces
  5. Quantity practice and common errors
  6. Part A — From one number to a condition profile
  7. Part B — Element families and examples
  8. Part C — Condition states and defects
  9. Part D — Steel elements in practice
  10. Part E — Concrete and prestressed elements
  11. Part F — Substructure, bearings and joints
  12. Part G — Wearing surfaces and the deck
  13. Part H — Relating element data to component ratings
  14. Part I — Quantity practice and common errors
  15. Part J — Field workflow for element inspection
  16. Part K — Using element data for preservation
  17. Part L — Timber, masonry, culverts and railings
  18. Part M — Comprehensive exercise
  19. Part N — Calibration and QC for element data
  20. Part O — FAQ, glossary and summary
  21. Part P — How management systems use your data
  22. Part Q — Case study: element data changing a decision
  23. Part R — Integrating NDE results into element data
  24. Part S — Photo standards for element inspection
  25. Part T — Practice problems with answers
  26. Open the course (31 screens, 2 knowledge checks)
  27. Final quiz — 10 questions, 70% to pass

References

  1. AASHTO, Manual for Bridge Element Inspection, 2nd Edition, 2019
  2. FHWA, Bridge Inspector's Reference Manual (BIRM), FHWA-NHI-12-049, 2012 (as revised)