AASHTO MBEI-2:2019 Manual for Bridge Element Inspection.
Bridge inspection based on this Manual consists of defining the elements (i.e., pieces of the bridge) and total quantities that exist at each bridge. The condition of each element is determined by performing a field inspection and recording quantities of the element that have identified defects that correlate to the severity of the defects defined in the particular condition state definition of this Manual. The condition assessment is complete when the appropriate portion of the total quantity is stratified over the defined condition states. For agencies utilizing BMSs, the appropriate element defects and environment shall be recorded for use in deterioration modeling.
In this Manual, the element represents the aggregate condition of the defined element inclusive of all defects. The specific listing of all defects is optional; however, the element condition must be inclusive of all defined defects. Element defects are typically to he used when the element reaches Condition State 2 or lower and they essentially act to break down the overall element condition into one or more specific observed problems. The defects defined within this Manual shall always assume the units of the element with which they are associated. For example, the scour defect may be applied to a column or a pier wall. The defect language is the same for both elements; however, the units for the column defect would be each and the units for the pier wall would be linear feet. In some cases, multiple defects may operate in the same defined space. In this case, the Inspector may report the defect in the most severe Condition State or report all defects, as determined by agency policy. If all defects are reported, the total in each Condition State reported for the parent element will not include overlapping defects. This means that in the case of overlapping defects, the quantity in the Condition State for the parent element will be less than the sum of the defects.
This manual attempts to cover the vast majority of all bridge elements found on highway bridges in the United States. During the course of an inspection, the Inspector may find materials or elements that are not defined. In these cases, the Inspector should use judgment to select the closest element match or use the “other” element type. In a similar vein, the Inspector should use judgment when utilizing the condition state defect definitions. There may he cases when the specific condition observed in the field is not defined in this Manual. In these cases, the Inspector should use the general description of the condition states to determine the appropriate condition.
The granularity of the defect details is typically not specified with defect descriptive language for Condition State 4, as this state is reserved for severe conditions that are beyond the specific defects defined for Condition States 1 through 3. Elements with a portion or all of the quantity in Condition State 4 may often have load capacity implications warranting a structural review. Within this Manual, the term “structural review” is defined as a review by a person qualified to evaluate the field-observed conditions and make a determination of the impacts of the conditions on the performance of the element. Structural reviews may include a review of the field inspection notes and photographs, review of as-built plans, or analysis as deemed appropriate to evaluate the performance of the element. Agencies may establish additional guidance to aid the Inspector in determining the field circumstances where structural review is warranted, taking into consideration the education, training, and experience of their inspection staff.AASHTO MBEI-2 pdf download.