Overview

Perform damage inspections as a result of collision, fire, flood, significant environmental changes, human actions, or loss of structural support. These are not recurring, planned inspections but are performed on an as-needed basis since they only occur after damage is identified to have occurred to a bridge outside of another scheduled bridge inspection. The level of inspection will vary based on the type of damage but shall be sufficient in scope and detail to collect all necessary information that an engineering decision can be made on repair, need for full or partial closure, etc.
Prepare a report for each Damage Inspection. Include in the report, at a minimum, the following:
  • photos and measurements documenting any damage
  • load ratings verifying capacity after event (when applicable)
  • channel profiles (when applicable)
  • repair recommendations
  • load restriction recommendations (when applicable).
Include all documentation from Damage Inspections in the permanent bridge inspection file in AssetWise, TxDOT’s Bridge Inspection Management System.
Damage inspections can be performed by either the Bridge Division, district bridge office, or maintenance section personnel.
Personnel performing damage inspections must have taken one of the following courses:
  • MNT 127 “Maintenance Bridge Inspection Course”, or
    MNT 127 “Maintenance Bridge Inspection Course”, or
  • National Highway Institute 130055 “Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges”, or
    National Highway Institute 130055 “Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges”, or
  • National Highway Institute 130056 “Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges for Professional Engineers”
    National Highway Institute 130056 “Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges for Professional Engineers”
If damage conditions warrant a change in condition ratings, an Inspection Record must be completed by a Qualified Team Leader. If the Qualified Team Leader is not an Engineer, the Engineer-of-Record must sign, date, and seal the report.
If damage is severe enough to drop a condition rating to warrant a Critical Finding, notification and processes described in Section 1
4
 of this Chapter still apply.