Integration of Bridge Management Systems and Nondestructive Evaluations

A basis for the direct use of data from nondestructive evaluation methods in bridge management systems is presented. Bridge management systems use integer-valued condition ratings to recognize conditions of bridge elements, to model progression of deterioration in elements and to determine needs for maintenance and repair. In an ongoing research project funded by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, procedures are being developed to communicate data from quantitative nondestructive evaluation methods to bridge management systems. Data from nondestructive evaluation methods can inform management systems on the extent of damage, on the initiation of deterioration processes and on the exposure of bridge elements to aggressive agents. In addition, data obtained through nondestructive evaluation allow the formation of models of specific deterioration processes in bridges. The use of these data in bridge management systems requires redefinition of condition ratings together with the creation of procedures for automated interpretation of the data. By these actions, nondestructive evaluation methods are used directly to assign condition ratings, and condition ratings are made into a terse report of nondestructive evaluation data that are compatible with management systems. This paper reports work in progress to integrate nondestructive evaluation methods and bridge management systems.