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InspectionOnline self-study

Underwater Bridge Inspection for Engineers

1 PDH · about 60 minutes · Course no. BR-I09 · 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.

Underwater elements are out of sight and often out of mind. This course explains when underwater inspection is required, how it is performed, and how engineers should read the results.

⬇ Download study guide (PDF)

Learning objectives

  • Explain when underwater inspection is required
  • Compare diving and wading inspection levels
  • Interpret underwater findings and soundings
  • Set underwater intervals per the NBIS

Outline

  1. When underwater inspection is required
  2. Inspection levels
  3. What divers look for
  4. Diver qualification and safety
  5. Reading the report as an engineer
  6. Part A — Learning objectives and how to use this course
  7. Part B — What counts as an underwater inspection
  8. Part C — NBIS intervals and diver qualifications
  9. Part D — Levels of inspection effort
  10. Part E — Methods and tools
  11. Part F — What underwater inspections look for, by material
  12. Part G — Planning and scoping an underwater inspection
  13. Part H — Dive safety in brief
  14. Part I — Reading an underwater inspection report
  15. Part J — Connecting findings to ratings, the POA and load rating
  16. Part K — When to act immediately
  17. Part L — Unknown foundations and scour monitoring
  18. Part M — Worked examples
  19. Part N — Element data and consistency
  20. Part O — Frequently asked questions
  21. Part P — Summary checklist and glossary
  22. Part Q — Trend analysis across inspection cycles
  23. Part R — Coordinating with hydraulic engineers
  24. Part S — Post-flood and event-driven inspections
  25. Part T — Quality control and quality assurance for underwater work
  26. Part U — Communicating findings to decision makers
  27. Part T2 — Preparing for a review meeting with the dive contractor
  28. Part V — Additional worked examples
  29. Part W — Key takeaways
  30. Open the course (35 screens, 2 knowledge checks)
  31. Final quiz — 10 questions, 70% to pass

References

  1. FHWA, Underwater Bridge Inspection, FHWA-NHI-10-027, 2010
  2. 23 CFR Part 650, Subpart C — National Bridge Inspection Standards (final rule published May 6, 2022)
  3. FHWA, Bridge Inspector's Reference Manual (BIRM), FHWA-NHI-12-049, 2012 (as revised)
  4. FHWA, Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory (SNBI), FHWA-HIF-22-017, March 2022
  5. AASHTO, Manual for Bridge Element Inspection, 2nd Edition, 2019
  6. FHWA, HEC-18 Evaluating Scour at Bridges, 5th Edition, FHWA-HIF-12-003, 2012
  7. FHWA, HEC-20 Stream Stability at Highway Structures, 4th Edition, FHWA-HIF-12-004, 2012
  8. FHWA, HEC-23 Bridge Scour and Stream Instability Countermeasures, 3rd Edition, FHWA-NHI-09-111 and -112, 2009
  9. AASHTO, The Manual for Bridge Evaluation, 3rd Edition, 2018 (with interim revisions)