InspectionOnline self-study
NBI Component Condition Ratings: Consistent 0–9 Ratings
1 PDH · about 60 minutes · Course no. BR-I05 · 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.
The 0–9 component condition rating is still the backbone of the National Bridge Inventory and federal performance measures. This course builds consistent rating practice for deck, superstructure, substructure and culvert.
⬇ Download study guide (PDF)
Learning objectives
- Apply the 0–9 condition rating scale
- Relate ratings to Good/Fair/Poor classification
- Avoid common rating inconsistencies
- Link ratings to federal performance measures
Outline
- The 0–9 scale
- Good / Fair / Poor classification
- Rating with consistency
- Why ratings matter downstream
- Common rating errors
- Part A — Learning objectives and how to use this course
- Part B — Reading the scale in field terms
- Part C — Rating the deck
- Part D — Rating the superstructure
- Part E — Rating the substructure
- Part F — Rating culverts
- Part G — Good, Fair, Poor and why one number can move the measure
- Part H — Ratings as triggers
- Part I — Writing a rating justification
- Part J — Calibration: why two inspectors disagree
- Part K — Special situations
- Part L — Rating practice set
- Part M — Relating element data to component ratings
- Part N — FAQ
- Part O — Glossary, key points and wrap-up
- Part P — A field routine for consistent ratings
- Part Q — Case study: one bridge over three cycles
- Part R — Ratings under the SNBI
- Part S — Items that are not components, but still matter
- Part T — Self-check
- Part U — Quick reference by bridge type
- Open the course (32 screens, 2 knowledge checks)
- Final quiz — 10 questions, 70% to pass
References
- FHWA, Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory (SNBI), FHWA-HIF-22-017, March 2022
- FHWA, Bridge Inspector's Reference Manual (BIRM), FHWA-NHI-12-049, 2012 (as revised)
- 23 CFR Part 490, Subpart D — National Performance Management Measures for Assessing Bridge Condition