Guidelines to Improve the Quality of Element-Level Bridge Inspection Data

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn Washer ◽  
Mohammad Hammed ◽  
Henry Brown ◽  
Robert Connor ◽  
Paul Jensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bridge Inspection ◽  
Element Level ◽  
Inspection Data

Quality of Element-Level Bridge Inspection Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 2674 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-261
Author(s):  
Glenn A. Washer ◽  
Mohammad M. Hammed ◽  
Paul Jensen ◽  
Robert J. Connor
Keyword(s):  
Load Capacity ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Bridge Management ◽  
Bridge Inspection ◽  
Element Level ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Truck Load ◽  
Inspection Data ◽  
Highway System

Bridge inspection results provide input for several important functions such as maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation, bridge load capacity ratings, truck load routing/permitting, and future safety/condition predictions. As a result, the quality and reliability of inspection data are important for bridge management and to ensure the safety and serviceability of bridges. Element-level data collection has been required nationwide for bridges on the National Highway System since 2014, and therefore is relatively new to some bridge owners. The objective of the research reported here was to assess the quality of element-level bridge inspection data by comparing bridge inspection results between different bridge inspectors assessing the same bridges. This paper reports results from two research studies completed to collect data on the quality (i.e., variability) of element-level inspection data. Results of field trials indicated that there was significant variability in the data for bridge elements reported in the study. Based on these data, the element-level inspection results were widely dispersed—the smallest coefficient of variation calculated from the current studies was 18%, but typical values were found to be greater than 50% in most cases, and often greater than 100%. These data provide examples from a series of field trials that illustrate the need for improving the quality of element-level inspections to ensure the reliability of the data provided.

Bridge Inspection Quality Management

2005 ◽  
Vol 1933 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-8
Author(s):  
Jaakko I. Dietrich ◽  
Mikko A. Inkala ◽  
Vesa J. Männistö
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Quality Management System ◽  
Quality Level ◽  
Bridge Management ◽  
Bridge Inspection ◽  
Bridge Networks ◽  
Bridge Inspections ◽  
Inspection Data ◽  
Quality Measurements

Reliable data on the condition of bridge networks are critical for successful bridge management. However, little attention has been paid to the quality of the data gathered in bridge inspections. This paper reviews the most important areas of bridge inspection that cause variation in bridge condition data and presents possible misjudgments made as a result of poor inspection data quality. The main elements of the inspection quality management system adopted in the Finnish Road Administration are presented, and the development of the quality of inspection data in 2002 and 2003 is briefly summarized. The evidence shows that the quality of inspection data has improved considerably but that the current quality level is not yet sufficient. The quality control system could be improved by increasing inspector interaction during control inspections, using an independent consultant in inspection quality measurements and inspector training, increasing the number of quality measurements, and introducing quality targets.

Inline Inspection: Both Effective Data Collection and Interpretation Needed to Achieve High Quality Reporting Results

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Walker ◽  
Paul Mallaburn ◽  
Derek Balmer
Keyword(s):  
Financial Risk ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Quality Reporting ◽  
Certification Standard ◽  
Consensus Standard ◽  
Inspection Data

Historically, pipeline operators have tended to place more weight on inline inspection tool specifications than on the inherent design and reporting capabilities of the service providers themselves. While internal collection of integrity data is very important, it’s imperative that vendors, also, have high levels of expertise and effective quality control systems in place to successfully analyze exceedingly high volumes of inspection data. The quality of inspection information is vital to assessing if a pipeline is fit for purpose now and/or into the future. Integrity managers attempting to reduce overall operating risk by making decisions based on inaccurate or poor quality reporting are in fact exposing their networks to greater safety and financial risk. Recognizing these risks and that inline inspection (ILI) is an overall system that needs to be formally qualified, operators and ILI service providers have collaborated to develop several international standards. The most recent is the umbrella API-1163 industry consensus standard, which is now being widely adopted, primarily in USA. This standard provides requirements and recommended practices for qualification of the entire ILI process. Two companion standards: ASNT In-line Personnel Qualification and Certification Standard No. ILI-PQ and NACE Recommended Practice In-Line Inspection of Pipelines RP0102 combine to address specific requirements for personnel who operate and analyze the results of ILI systems. In Europe, the Pipeline Operators Forum (POF) has, also, established specific requirements for ILI reporting processes and data formats. However, these standards do not define how operators and vendors must meet these requirements. To follow will be a story about how an ILI service provider embraced a holistic approach to address these standards’ requirements, in particular in the areas of data analysis, reporting, and dig verification due to their significant importance in assuring the final quality of its deliverables. A key outcome desired will be to provide operators with greater insight into what best practices and technologies ILI service providers should have embraced and invested in to insure reliable service delivery.

Implementation of Virtual Reality in Routine Bridge Inspection

2003 ◽  
Vol 1827 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
David V. Jáuregui ◽  
Kenneth R. White
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Bridge Management ◽  
Bridge Inspection ◽  
Image Creation ◽  
Bridge Inspections ◽  
Recorded Data ◽  
Media Types ◽  
Inspection Data ◽  
Selection Of

The innovative use of QuickTime Virtual Reality (QTVR) and panoramic image–creation utilities for recording field observations and measurements during routine bridge inspections is reported. A virtual reality approach provides the ability to document a bridge’s physical condition by using different media types at a significantly higher level of detail than is possible in a written bridge inspection report. Digitally recorded data can be stored on compact disc for easy access before, during, or after an inspection. The development of a QTVR bridge record consists of four major steps: selection of the camera stations, acquisition of the digital images, creation of cylindrical or cubic panoramas, and rendering of the QTVR file. Specific details related to these steps are provided, as applied to various bridge inspection projects. The potential impact of QTVR on bridge management—in which routine inspection data are a factor in making decisions regarding the future maintenance, rehabilitation, or replacement of a bridge—is discussed.

Bridge Inspection and Management System Based on Smart Phone

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanbing Ding ◽  
Ruicong Han ◽  
Hao Liu ◽  
Shengyuan Li ◽  
Xuefeng Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Mobile Network ◽  
Technical Condition ◽  
Bridge Inspection ◽  
Condition Rating ◽  
Inspection Process ◽  
Inspection Work ◽  
Inspection Data ◽  
User Friendly

For the traditional inspection methods, the visual inspection data is firstly recorded on the inspection forms and then input manually into computer, which is inefficient and creates errors frequently. This research aims at establishing a smartphone-based bridge inspection and management system that can avoid such inputting errors and facilitate the bridge inspection process. The system enables the inspector to complete the inspection information collection in a portable smart phone. The site photos that related to the investigated structures can be easily added and edited during the inspection work with the help of the smart phone. After the investigation, the inspection report and the technical condition rating of the inspected bridge can be automatically generated. The collected data and the GPS information can be uploaded to the terminal server directly via the mobile network. The interface of the mobile software is user-friendly and easy operation, which provides an opportunity for the public to take part in the bridge inspection work, especially for the bridges in rural and mountainous areas. Then, this paper puts forward the relevant ideas on public participation in bridges’ emergency assessment and disposal after the disaster, which can provide data support for the decision-making and disaster relief work.

The Information System for Bridge Networks Condition Monitoring and Prediction

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Khalid Aboura ◽  
Bijan Samali
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Condition Monitoring ◽  
New South ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Maintenance Optimization ◽  
Bridge Management ◽  
Bridge Inspection ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Bridge Networks ◽  
Inspection Data

This paper introduces an information system for estimating lifetime characteristics of elements of bridges and predicting the future conditions of networks of bridges. The Information System for Bridge Networks Condition Monitoring and Prediction was developed for the Roads and Traffic Authority of the state of New South Wales, Australia. The conceptual departure from the standard bridge management systems is the use of a novel stochastic process built out of the gamma process. The statistical model was designed for the estimation of infrastructure lifetime, based on the analysis of more than 15 years of bridge inspection data. The predictive curve provides a coherent mathematical model for conducting target level constrained and funding based maintenance optimization.

Multirate Estimation for the Machining Process Under Multirate Noise

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheol W. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Machining Process ◽  
Process Variables ◽  
Process Noise ◽  
Efficient Tool ◽  
Process Measurement ◽  
Process Output ◽  
Sensor Signals ◽  
Propagation Of Errors ◽  
Inspection Data

Asynchronous measurement of process output characterizes a typical machining process in batch production. Various sensors are used for in-process measurement of process variables such as powers, forces, and vibration while the quality of parts and the tool conditions can be measured only by the postprocess inspection in most applications. The multirate scheme is being proposed as an efficient tool for integrating real-time sensor signals with postprocess inspection data for estimating immeasurable variables of the machining process. The machining process is subject to the process noise of varying frequencies including the within-cycle drift, cycle-to-cycle variation, and batch-to-batch variation. A multirate observer for simultaneous state and parameter estimation is built after the propagation of errors along a series of machining cycles is derived. Case studies with the grinding process demonstrate the efficacy of the developed algorithm.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document