This User's Manual is intended to supplement existing guidance found in the Federal Highway Administration's "Bridge Inspector's Training Manual 70" and in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' "Manual for Maintenance Inspection of Bridges." The first part provides information on the types of concrete bridges, physical properties of concrete and steel, indicators and causes of deterioration of reinforced and prestressed concrete, and inspection techniques for helping to assess reductions in bridge capacity. The second part describes the types of detailed inspections that are possible. The proper inspection techniques, including the types of expertise and equipment that is needed or available, and the procedures for estimating load-carrying capacities are presented. Appendices contain example calculations to determine load-carrying capacities for rating bridges and a list of decision criteria that are keyed to sections of the User's Manual.
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