Handbook for Bridge Inspections - TSP2

• Damage to slope protection
• Damage to piles above water
• Damage to pennanent sheet piling above water
• Un planned removal or deposition offill material in the vicinity
of foundations
• Accumulation of waste etc. restricting the water flow
• Excessive vegetation, trees etc.
• Accumulation of combustible materials underneath bridges.
Concrete Elements
Steel Ele me nts
• Settlement or movement of abutments, supports, superstructures
etc.
• Deformation of superstructure or other element due to differenti
al settlement, excessive load or defomlation of scaffolding
during construction.
• Cracks and possible leakage through these. (It should be eonsi
dered to register crack-widths and crack patterns). Special con
sideration should be given to check anchorage zones of prest res
si ng cables for cracks.
* Defect to surface treatment
• Discoloration of concrete surfaces due to leakage or graffiti.
• Reduced or damaged concrete cover with possible future corro
sion damage in mind (carbonisation, ch lorides, binding wire,
di stance holders etc.)
• Disintegration due to frost or weathering
• Pouring defects or areas with obviously bad workmanship, areas
with possible penetration of mo isture, pores in the surface etc.
• Lack of adhesion and/or spalling of structural concrete, integral
ly cast concrete, repaired areas, casting joints, prestressing anc
horages, etc.
• Spall ing, failure or other damage due to coll ision
* Visible reinforcement bars or spall ing due to corrosion or woo
den pieces cast into the concrete etc.
• Obvious reinforcement corrosion or signs of ongoing corrosion
processes shown by cracking along the outermost reinforcement
bars or rust staining.
* Satisfactory concreting around prestressing cable anchorages
• Excessive vegetation, trees etc.
• Scaffolding or ties left in place, etc
• The general state of cleaning o f the considered element.
• Deformation of superstructure or other elements due to differen
tia l settlement of foundations, excessive load or col lision.
• Relative movements of superstructure or other elements
• Cracks or fa il ure in base material, welds, bolts or rivets
• Defects in corrosion protection system (paint, galvanising, coa
ting) and possible corrosion. The connection area between cone
rete and steel is especially vulnerable. The same appli es to the
upper flanges supporting wooden roadways.
• Discoloration due to leakage or graffiti
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