JACKSON, MS
Neel-Schaffer adds Pile Resistographs to inspections tool chest
Neel-Schaffer recently received another two-year contract from the Mississippi Office of State Aid Road Construction to inspect and perform load-rating services on complex and timber bridges across the state.
Neel-Schaffer has provided this service to OSARC since 2011.
Most of the bridges inspected were built between 1940 and 2013 and are of various lengths. Some are inspected annually, and others are inspected every two years. The complex bridges include steel, fracture critical, bridges over railroads, and bridges that require access equipment for the inspection.
Inspections are conducted during a 10-month period each year, by two-and three-member crews. All inspections are performed in accordance with the specifications set forth in the National Bridge Inspection Standards and the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation. Inspections were done on foot, except where ladders and/or boats were used to bring the inspectors within “arms length” of the bridges. Soundings are taken at each bent and other locations, allowing for adequate depiction of the stream bottom along the upstream edge of each bridge, using the deck as a reference point.
Neel-Schaffer inspectors use new Pile Resistographs to test timber piles during the inspections performed in this project.
Deliverables for each inspection include: a minimum of six photographs, clear, concise and accurate drawings, stamped Load Rating Summary sheets, and any relevant additional inspection data that helps fully document the condition of the bridge.
Each bridge is rated for a wide variety of loads and vehicles, including Legal Load Vehicles (MS H-Truck, Concrete Truck, HS Short Truck, HS Long Truck, Tandem Axle, and Single Axle), Emergency Vehicles (Type EV2 – for single rear axle, front single axle – 24,000 pounds, rear single axle – 33,500 pounds, and wheel base 15 feet), and Type EV3 – for tandem rear axle vehicles (front single axle – 24,000 pounds, rear tandem axle – 62,000 pounds, and wheel base 17 feet).
