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Course Outline
Introduction
- Purpose of class
- Safety
- Railroad employees vs. consultants/contractors
Inspector’s Responsibilities
- Removing a bridge from service
- FRA 214, 213/237
- Training requirements
- Written reports
- Know your abilities
- Know your limits
- Techniques, Tools and Equipment
Types of Inspections
- Periodic
- Detailed
- Emergency
- Inspections under load
Prior to Beginning the Inspection
- Obtaining railroads bridge inventory
- Obtaining previous inspection records
- Ranking system
- Operating practices
- Equipment
- Planning
- Creating a schedule
Inspection Process
- Site overview
- Tools and equipment
- Walk-throughs
- Photographic documentation
- Note taking
- Identifying components
- Measurements
Timber Bridges
- Nomenclature
- Backwalls/wingwalls
- Pilings, frames, caps, etc.
- Ballast decks
- Open decks
Concrete Bridges
- Nomenclature
- Stone/masonry substructures
- Backwalls/wingwalls
- Abutments, piers, pilings, caps
- Tubs, box girders, deck slabs, arches
Steel Bridges
- Nomenclature
- Stone/masonry substructures
- Backwalls/wingwalls
- H-piling and pipe piling
- Towers, column piers, caps, bracing
- Beam spans
- Deck plate girders, through plate girders
- Through truss spans
Moveable Bridges
- Nomenclature
- Swing, lift, and bascule spans
- Mechanical & electrical systems
Culverts
- Nomenclature
- Concrete, corrugated metal, smooth pipe, wood box, stone
Field Trip to Bridges for Hands-On Exercise (*This activity will NOT be available in the online version of the course.)
Report Writing
- Cover letter
- Conditions sheet
- Content and format
- Deck section, substructure section, superstructure section
Summary of recommendations