New Guidelines for NDE Bridge Inspection Methods

The latest of TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Ready Results summarizes nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods for assessing the condition of in-service post-tensioning and stay cable systems. Post-tensioned (PT) girder bridges and stay cable bridges pose a challenge to bridge inspectors because steel tendons used as the primary structural support in these bridges are typically embedded in massive concrete (internal tendons) or opaque ducts (external tendons or stay cables) and are difficult to access. This research summary highlights findings from NCHRP Research Report 848 to help bridge owners select NDE methods based on the specific needs of their structure.