Rolled Steel Beam Bridge Inspection

Today I inspected a two simple span rolled steel beam bridge in Providence. The bridge had section loss to the beam ends and several areas of spalling concrete. 

The spalls to the deck were so severe that we had to hold traffic while we removed incipient spalls that could fall onto the traffic below.

The deteriorated expansion joint over the pier continues to cause trouble for the steel beams and pier cap below.

Ashton Viaduct

This week we have been inspecting the Ashton Viaduct in Cumberland/Lincoln, which intersects the Blackstone River. We inspected the bridge with a four man crew and two 62' under bridge inspection unit (UBIU) or snooper. The bridge has 13 spans which consist of 9 approach arches and 4 main arches.

Muti Beam Bridge Inspections

Today we inspected two muti beam bridges which carry I-95 North and South bound. Both bridges had several large spalls and hollow areas. There were a few areas of minor section loss and a couple holes in the web and web stiffeners.

Since we inspected the bridge two years ago we were able to insect the bridge more efficiently. We will also be conducting a rating for the bridge in the near future and were able to save drive time and confirm measurements for the rating.

I-95 Culvert and Arcadia Arch

Today I inspected a concrete box culvert with two cells. The culvert is 150 feet long and was pretty tricky to move around in with a few layers to stay warm and a pair of chest waders to stay dry.

The concrete arch is located right at Arcadia Park in Exeter, Rhode Island and spans over a small river.

Both structures required little to no equipment but waders certainly made it easier.

Arcadia has many trails for hiking and offers many small timber bridges with 5 ton postings typicaly so becareful if you're hauling something close that tonage.
http://www.riparks.com/arcadia.htm

I-95 over Amtrak

For the past few weeks I have been doing night inspections on tack with the help of Amtrak's finest and New England Bridge. For the inspection we used two flagmen, 60 foot Elliot rail mounted truck and a 45 foot rail mounted bucket truck. The multi girder, 4 span bridge has retrofit diaphragm connections which have cracked welds with arrest holes.

Rolled Steel Beam Bridge Inspection

A chilly night in Providence's begin with the inspection of a rolled steel beam bridge over I-95 Southbound. Even with the best traffic pattern the "S' curves in Providence is a dangerous place to be. The exit sign for the next exit had been damaged from a previous impact even with truck traffic detoured around a posted bridge further down I-95.

Providence's I-Way Invertory Inspections

Today started with a stop in Millbury MA to pick up an ice coffee at DDs and bagel. With sunny skys and a nice wind off the water, it was a shame to spend the day inside of a steel box girder. With access hatches at the ends of each span I was able to enter with the help of a bucket. The box girder is 8 feet tall and has trapezoidal shaped girders which allowed for easy movement through the inspection. 

The next bridge on the other hand had limited space and when I had to double check bearing connections and end diaphragm screens, movement was awkward and time consuming.

Providence I-Way Inspections

Today I inspected the interior of a steel box girder bridge in Providence RI, I walked each span hunched over in short trapezoidal shaped box girder trying to avoid the construction debris that still remained behind.

Providence's I-Way Inventory Bridge Inspections

Today I assisted in the inspection of the extior of a steel box girder bridge in Providence RI. The large three box girders carry a bare concrete deck ramp from I-95 Northbound to I-195 Eastbound. The weather was great for the inspection with clear skys.

I-195 over the Providence River

The past few weeks before the rain started I was out inspecting the Providence River Network Arch which was featured on an episode of Mega Movers on the History Channel. 

The arch was assembled downstream from the bridge site and moved by barge to the piers. 

Also included in the inspection of the arch were the cables and connections to the arch and bottom cord. With two 45 foot bucket trucks and an 80 foot man lift we were able to inspect the North and middle arch. The inspection of the South arch is being scheduled for a night in the near future when we can safely close one lane of traffic over the bridge.

The arch spans over 400 feet over the river and allows boats to pass under the bridge and through the hurricane barriers. The underside of the arch including the bottom cord and floorbeams were inspected using a man lift on a barge.

The bridge also has two spans which consist of steel box girders and four spans consisting of concrete butted box beams. The spans consisting of concrete butted box beams are were labeled up to "MM", very close to the maximum number of beams I have inspected in one span.

The interior of the steel arch was inspected after the air was tested and okeyed by confined space professionals. While inspecting the interior the use of a mask, air quality monitor and a tyvek suit came in handy. While inspecting the interior of the arch cracks were noticed in the welded diaphragm connections and were confirmed using dye penetrant tests in multiple locations.

Goodbye Providence River Bridge, see you in two years??