Bridge Inspection Handbook

Current Edition: 2017

The AREMA Bridge Inspection Handbook© provides a comprehensive source of information and criteria for bridge inspections for engineers engaged in the assessment of railway bridges. This Handbook is published as a guide to establishing policies and practices relative to bridge inspection. It covers such topics as confined spaces, site conditions, loads & forces, nomenclature, bridge decks, timber, concrete & steel bridges, movable bridges, tunnel and culvert inspections, and emergency & post-earthquake inspections. Also included are many color photographed examples in several chapters, as well as a glossary in the back of the book.

Table of Contents

1 Bridge Inspection Practices
2 Confined Spaces
3 Site Conditions
4 Bridge Loads and Forces
5 Bridge Nomenclature
6 Bridge Decks
7 Timber Bridges
8 Concrete & Masonry Bridges and Foundations

Section 1 – Concrete Properties
Section 2 – Inspection of Concrete & Masonry Structures and Foundations

9 Steel Bridges

Section 1 – Iron and Steel Bridges
Section 2 – Steel – Fastenings
Section 3 – Bearings
Section 4 – Steel Beam Spans
Section 5 – Floor Systems
Section 6 – Through - Plate Girder (TPG) Spans
Section 7 – Deck Plate Girder (DPG) Spans
Section 8 – Trestles and Viaducts
Section 9 – Trusses
Section 10 – Pin-Connected Pratt Trusses

10 Movable Bridges

Section 1 – Inspection
Section 2 – Operator’s House
Section 3 – Swing Bridges
Section 4 – Bascule Bridges
Section 5 – Vertical Lift Bridges
Section 6 – Electrical Inspection
Section 7 – Signal System
Section 8 – Mechanical Inspection
Section 9 – Lubrication
Section 10 – Fenders and Dolphins

11 Tunnel Inspections
12 Culvert Inspections
13 Emergency Inspections
14 Post-Earthquake Inspections
15 Underwater Bridge Inspections
16 Erosion and Scour Inspection at Bridges
Glossary