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Title:Using Expert Opinion to Quantify Accuracy and Reliability of Nondestructive Evaluation of Bridges
Authors:Alex Hesse, Rebecca Atadero, and Mehmet Ozbek
University:Colorado State University
Publication Date:Aug 2015
Report #:MPC-15-288
Project #:MPC-394
TRID #:01576236
Keywords:bridge inspection, evaluation and assessment, safety

Abstract

Bridge inspection is an important phase in bridge management. In 2009, a joint American Society of Civil Engineers Structural Engineering Institute and AASHTO Ad-Hoc group was created to identify the issues in bridge safety and to study current bridge practices. This group recommended: "A more rational, risk-based approach to determining the appropriate inspection intervals for bridges is needed, as opposed to a set twenty-four month cycle for all bridges." The committee also recommended a wider use of NDE methods. The difficulty in increasing the use of these NDE methods is the increased costs and time spent. One way to deal with this is to implement risk-based planning. Although to do this, the accuracy, reliability, bias, and cost of each test must be quantified. This study attempts to quantify these parameters for common bridge NDE methods. This was done through two methods. First, a literature review was performed to determine common NDE methods and data were found for these methods. Second, a Delphi method survey was conducted to develop a broader range of data that matches real life practices. All of the data were then analyzed and conclusions were drawn to quantify the various parameters for these NDE methods.

How to Cite

Hesse, Alex, Rebecca Atadero, and Mehmet Ozbek. Using Expert Opinion to Quantify Accuracy and Reliability of Nondestructive Evaluation of Bridges, MPC-15-288. North Dakota State University - Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, Fargo: Mountain-Plains Consortium, 2015.

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