International practice using NDE for the inspection of concrete and masonry arch bridges

This paper reviews international practice in the inspection of bridges, and looks at the NDE of post-tensioned concrete and of masonry arch bridges. Key continental European practice is compared with the UK and the USA. Given the wide range of languages and cultural backgrounds, there is remarkable similarity between procedures for bridge inspection.

NDE is growing into an established tool for the special investigation of concrete and masonry arch bridges. Many key problem areas of concrete and masonry arch bridges have been identified and appropriate NDT techniques discussed. Some of the techniques used on concrete are capable of being transferred to new masonry, but not necessarily to old stone masonry arch bridges, with their special features. It has been shown that the most useful techniques are low frequency sonic echo, sonic transmission and sonic tomography. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) has a limited role in the investigation of post-tensioned concrete bridges. Examples are given in the paper.