APPENDIX : “C”

Broad Guidelines for Carrying out Inspection of Bridges.

The various items of inspection as listed in the proforma Appendix-B for Inspection
report are briefly elucidated below for guidance of the inspecting officer.
1. Approaches :
The inspecting officer shall inspect the aa immediately at the ends of the bridge and
check for their conditions viz. unevenness, settlement, if, any, cracking of the pavement,
inadequate camber, longitudinal gradients, proper functioning of the drainage facility,
damages to the guard rails, condition of R.C.C. approach slabs, erosion or damages to-the
embankment patching to side-slopes, settlement or disturbance of the slopes, etc. The
approach slabs shall also be examined for any unto wards cracking; movement away from the
dirt wall and to see that no portion rests on the wingwalls/cantilever returns.
2. Protective Works:
The conditions of the protective works. like guide bunds, spurs, hie ben e2> Shh: etc.
shall be inspected during the floods while ascertaining the HFL, scour depth condition of
launching of apron, etc. and after floods to examine the condition of existing slopes and slope
pitching adequacy of the apron etc.
The inspecting officer must look for aspects like launching of the apron, settling of the
slope, piping action, improper drainage of the rain water causing the slope to get disturbed,
impact of waves, any undue scour at the nose of the bund and/or at the toe of the pitching
and give his recommendations to ensure that the protective works function adequately, If net
measures proposed to be taken up shall be detailed out in the inspection report and directing
the local officers to take up follow up action accordingly. The quantity of reserve stones
available at site for meeting emergent situations shall also be checked before floods, against
specified quantity and duly reported.
The flood protection shall also be inspected both during and after the floods to
ascertain the extent of scour, cracking and damage of the flood if any, adequacy of the cut off
walls and apron etc., specific recommendations for augmentation of the existing provisions if
any, shall also be given.
3. Waterway :
The inspecting officer shall inspect the waterway under the bridge during the floods
and report about the following :
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 (i) The maximum flood level observed and how it compares with the design HFL.
(ii) The maximum observed afflux as ascertained from marks on gauge pointed on
substructure.
(iii) The maximum observed scour, its location and how it compares with the design
scour.
(iv) Any abnormal change in the flow pattern both on the u/s. and d/s. of the bridge
(explain by sketch)
(v) Any obstruction in the waterway like presence of undergrowth blocking the span,
projection of the hard bank deflecting the stream resulting in only part of the
waterway being effective. etc.
(vi) Whether the water way provided is adequate or not ? If not what adverse effects are
observed.
4. Foundations :
The foundations being usually below the bed level shall be inspected during high
floods to ascertain adequacy of the foundations by comparing the observed maximum scour
with the design values and suggest suitable remedial measures if the foundations are likely to
be endangered. For this purpose, soundings around the foundations shall be taken, In case of
deep well foundations, to ascertain the maximum depth of scour, soundings at regular
intervals during the flood, will have to be taken . Where sophisticated sounding techniques
are not available, the designed data may be collected by resorting t approximate gauging
methods like a weight hung from a wire etc. Further, special attention be laid on foundations.
resting in rock with the overburden having a tendency to get scoured and endangering the
foundations. The scour depths in such cases be recorded regularly during the floods with a
view to ensure the safety of foundations: After the floods; the inspecting officer shall inspect
the general condition of the foundations to ascertain aspects like cracking, disintegration,
decay, erosion, cavitation, damage due to impact of floating bodies in the river, etc; A
Remarks shall be added in the inspection report if the foundations cannot be inspected due
to presence of water.
5. Sub structure (piers, abutment and wing walls) :
The inspecting officer shall inspect the sub-structure usually during dry weather when
the flow in river is the minimum and shall report in the following:
(i) Concrete or RCC piers, abutments arid wing walls for damages due to impact,
cracks, spalling rests. The spalled or cracked sections shall be checked to ascertain up to what
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extent gunitting or reintegration by such cement mortar of epoxy mortar could be done to
restore the structure to a safe condition
(ii) Exposed faces of abutment for presence of any moisture indicating Inadequate
drainage of the backfill, proper functioning of weep holes and filter media forming the back
fill, etc, In cases of the back fill surcharge examination shall be made to suggest other suitable
drainage methods to drain the accumulated water immediately.
(iii) In case of masonry piers, abutments and wing walls examine whether there are
crack due to settlement of foundations, examine the condition of the pointing or plastering
and the condition of the stone or bricks any possible bulging or movements etc.
(iv) The face of the dirt wall of the abutments for any tiling, requisite expansion gap
becoming available for movement of superstructure on bearings etc.
Remarks shall be added in the inspection report if the sub-structure cannot be
inspected due to area E presence of water in the river.
6. Bearings :
All bearings shall normally be inspected during temperature extremes and after the
floods have passed. They should however, also be inspected for unusual occurrences like
earth-quakes. passage of excessive traffic loads, unprecedented floods and battering on
account of the sanie et¢. While inspecting different types of bearings the followings shall be
Kept in mind :
(I) Metallic Bearings :
The metallic bearings shall be inspected to ascertain.
a. the general conditions like cleanliness, rusting, ceasing of movements of plates,
etc.
b. the proper functioning of bearings viz. observing excessive movements if any,
unusually deflect; tiling of the rollers, rollers jumping off the guides, etc.
c. the conditions of the grease/oil when-last greased and whether it needs to be
replaced or not
d. whether any structural cracks in supporting members like abutment cap, pier cap,
pedestal etc. and
e. whether the anchor bolts are in position and not loose. As regards the normal
practice for changing grase, it should be done once in every 3 years and only neutral
grease confirming to IS : 1002 shall be used.

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 (II) Elastomeric Bearings :
The elastomeric bearings shall be inspected to ascertain the following :
(a) the physical condition of the pads like oxidation, creep, flattening, bulging,
crushing , permanent deformation, splitting, etc.
(b) the cleanliness of the bearing and its surrounding particularly to avoid contact
with grease , oil, petrol, etc.
7. Superstructure :
The inspecting officer shall inspect the super-structure and report in respect of the
followings:
(i) Reinforced concrete members :
(a) The stems of concrete girders shall be examined for spalls. disimegrations,
cracking or honey-combed areas, specially over the bearings;
(b) Webs of box girders shall be inspected for cracks which my occur due to
temperature stresses;
(c) The soffit of the lower slab in box girder structures and outside faces of
girders shall be examined for any significant cracks;
(d) The concrete articulation of RCC girder bridges being a vulnerable component
shall be examined for cracks. In case cracks are noticed suitable tell-tales shall
be put up to observe them minutely and to ascertain whether the cracks are
development further or not, If found to be further propagating, details there
of shall be collected immediately and the remedial measures shall be
proposed.
(e) for over-bridges, the under-side of the girders shall be examined for any
damage due to loads of excessive height passing under the over-bridge;
(f) any unusual deflection or vibration observed shall be recorded; and reported
early,
(g) The concrete decks shall be examined for cracking, leaching; scaling, pot-
holing spalling and other signs of deterioration; each of these items shall be
evaluated to assess the overall effect on the structure and the restoration
work required to be done shall be clearly specified. Signs of deterioration in
reinforcing steel shall be examined to ascertain the extent of deterioration,
especially in areas where deck is affected by saline water or sea breeze.

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 (h) In case of asphaltic wearing surface, real condition of the deck may not be
visible. In such cases, large cracks in the wearing surface are often indications
of deck damage. Efforts shall be made to examine such areas by removing the
asphaltic wearing coat. Often the inside of the deck in such cases also reveals
the areas of distress or deteriorations and through examination of the same
should be resorted to, any evidence of water passing through the cracks of
the deck shall be recorded. As a remedial measure, it is normal practice to
repair cracks or honey-combed areas by grouting or guniting with epoxy
mortar.
(ii) Prestressed Concrete members:
(a) The prestressed concreate members shall be examined for loss of camber,
excessive deflection, distress due to bucking, cracking and deterioration of
concrete, cracking or spalling in area around the bearings and cast-in-place
diaphragms where creep and humping of the Girders may have an effect must
be locked for. Where cracking is found, location and size shall be noted tell-
tales installed to watch their future development. The end anchorages shall
be examined water tightness and corrosion prestressing wires.
(b) Examine if the member exhibits excessive vibrations.
(iii) Structural steel members:
(a) The structural steel members like trusses, girders, stringers, railing, etc. shall
be checked for corrosion, cracking, connections and looseness, of any bolts,
rivets and welds deteriorated etc. The flanges and webs of all sections shall
be checked for damage, misalignment and the web stiffness for bucking. All
joints shall be checked for their worthiness. It shall be examined whether or
not bolted joints of new bridges have been tightened after one year service.
All components of the truss members must be checked in respect of
alignment and any kinds and bow in the members. Any eccentricity in
connecting the details be recorded. The bracing shall be examined for any
traffic damage and whether they are properly adjusted and functioning
satisfactorily. Any loss of camber in the main girders assessed from
comparative readings shall be recorded.
(b) The condition of paint shall be examined and the extent of corrosion, if, any,
recorded. The paint shall never be allowed to deteriorate to the extent that
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 rusting occurs. Since the connecting details are more susceptible to corrosion
more details examination of these units shall be done specially looking for
deformation in reverted or bolted multiplate sections where moisture may
have entered and corroded the plates. Earth, leaves and any debris at the
members/joints shall be indicated for removal, as they hasten the corrosive
action. In old bridges, with trusses, deck system shall be examined to
ascertain their adequacy to carry present day loads. Often, the existing deck
load can be removed to allow for higher- traffic loads. All these aspects shall
be examined keeping the overall safety and the serviceability of the structure,
Un-usual vibrations if observed shall be recorded.
(iv) Masonry arches :
(a) The drainage facilities at the spandrel walls of earth filled arch bridges shall
be inspected to ascertain whether moisture is locked up in filling.
(b) The spandrel walls shall be checked to ascertain that they do not separate
from the arch rings and they do provide lateral support to the fill above the
arch rings.
(c) The condition of the masonry arch ring and mortar joint, presence of cracks,
condition of plaster, etc. shell be recorded, cracks, shall be marked by red
paint for their entire lengths and dated, tell-tales placed at their extremities
and in between and numbered. The pattern of the cracks and their
(d) location be recorded. The flattening of the profile of the arch, if any, shall be
recorded.
(e) All vegetational growth shall be recorded and steps suggested for their
removal.
(v) Timber bridge Structures
(a) As timber structures are more susceptible to deterioration than concrete and
steel, they should receive more careful inspection and maintenance. All
timber members must be examined for decay, rot, splits evidence of failure,
etc. which impair the strength and serviceability of the member.
(b) All splice joints shall be checked for soundness in shear connections. All bolts
must be checked to see that they are tight and in good condition.

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 (c) Components submerged under water shall be checked to see whether they
have decayed or not so as to establish the need of applying a suitable
protective layer.
(d) The timber flooring in timber and steel bridge shall be inspected for loose and
rotten members.
(e) Protective coats may be suggested, if atmospheric and the decaying
influences are marked in the structures.
8. Expansion Joints :
The inspecting officer shall inspect the expansion joint and reporct in respect of the
followings.
(a) Whether the joints are functioning properly and the expansion gap is adequate for
thermal movement.
(b) Examine cracks in RCC Components of deck, if any, in the neighbourhood of the
expansion joints; have developed.
(c) Condition of sealing materials, securreness of the joint, the condition of top silding
plate whether corroded or not; shall be inspected.
(d) Locking of joints especially for finger type expansion joints; should be spotted, if any,
and measures be suggested of its corrections.
(e) Debris in open type joints, resulting in lack of expansion gap; should be cleared.
(f) Rattling of joints, if any, should be reported with probable reasons for the same.
9. Wearing Coat:
The inspecting officer shall inspect the wearing coat and report in respect of the
followings:
(a) The surface condition, i.e. whether there are any cracks, spalling of concrete,
disintegration, pot-holes, etc.
(b) Riding quality and the road worthiness with respect to slipperiness, bumps,
unevenness etc.
(c) Evidence of wear, by providing tell-tale rings and checking the existing thickness
of the wearing coat against the designed thickness.
10. Drainage Spouts :
The inspecting officer shall inspect the entire drainage system to ascertain its proper
functioning and whether some additional facilities have to be provided. The drainage spouts
shall be checked for deterioration and damage. The projection of the drainage spouts on the
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inside of the structural members shall also be checked to see that the structural members are
nor damaged.
11. Hand Rails :
The RCC hand rails shall be inspected for cracks, spalling, scaling, deterioration in the
concrete and any damage due to traffic Examination shall also be made of the reinforcement
in areas where they are exposed due to damage or spalling of the concrete. Often rust stains
on the concrete are indicative of corrosive action on the steel inside the concrete and shall
be noted. Expansion gaps and alignment shall be checked and any missing parts reported. In
case of submersible bridges, collapsible hand rails shall be removed before floods.
12. Footpaths :
Concrete footpaths/side walks, shall be inspected for cracks, spalling, scaling, or pot-
holes. The condition of joints where pre-cast slabs are used resting on the kerbs shall be
examined to ascertain that no slabs fall of the support and the joints open to the extent of
becoming a pedestrian’s hazard and to ensure at the same time that adequate expansion gap
is also available. Any missing footpath slabs shall be reported.
13. Utilities :
The inspecting officer shall report leakage of water and sewage pipes, damage to
telephone and electric cables, the condition of lighting facilities as well as any other demages
to other utilities.
14. Bridge Numbering:
The bridge numbering shall be inspected for the condition of the painting of numbers
and the clear visibility of the numbering to traffic, The numbering shall generally conform to
the IRC-7-1971. Recommended Practice for Numbering Bridges and Culverts"
15. Aesthetics : The inspecting officer shall report any visual intrusion of bill-boards,
paints on structural members etc.,

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