Developments for the non-destructive evaluation of highway bridges in the USA

The collapse of the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in 1967 initiated the formal requirements for the inspection of highway bridges in the USA. Almost 30 years later, visual inspection remains the primary method of bridge inspection. However, many new and promising techniques for the nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of highway bridges have emerged in recent years through the NDE research program of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). These include infrared and radar imaging systems, portable ultrasonic systems, telemetry systems, laser deflection measurement systems, and many others. This paper discusses the recent development of these instruments, and the potential impact it may have on bridge inspection and bridge management systems. The paper also discusses the need for validation of system performance, and the FHWA plans to construct a national center for NDE validation at the Turner Fairbank Highway Research Center. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.