Trapazoidal Steel Box Girders

Still working on the Central Artery Inspection contract, we have switched from concrete segmental boxes to steel box girders.

Now just north of Boston near Cambridge and Somerville, we are inspecting ramps for Interstate 93 which consist of steel box girders.

Currently I'm working on a bridge which has two steel box girders there for making it a fracture critical bridge as well. The bridge is six span continuous with a cast in place concrete deck. The bridge carries Interstate 93 Ramps NS and SN over Boston Sand and Gravel.

For the exterior of the box we used a manlift to inspect and gain access to the interior of the box. The interior of the box is a permit required confined space so we needed air meters and rescue inhalers.

Two Week Bridge Inspection Course

The past weeks I was taking the NHI Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges course.

Since I've been doing bridge design, ratings and inspections for a few years now I already had a good grasp on a lot of the topics but it gave me a more in depth knowledge into the appraisal and condition ratings of bridge elements and items.

I'd recommend anyone working in the bridge engineering, construction or maintenance to take a look at the course. It also gives you 60 hours towards your professional development.