Evaluating Unknown Bridge Foundations Across Texas with Ultraseismic Testing

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) contracted BDI to evaluate unknown bridge foundations at 48 bridges across Texas. As part of TxDOT’s bridge inspection program, the project focused on assessing foundation condition and scour vulnerability to support National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) reporting requirements.

To gather critical foundation data, BDI performed detailed field inspections and used Ultraseismic Testing (US) to determine the length and integrity of timber, steel, and concrete piles. By generating and analyzing sound waves within the foundation elements, BDI accurately measured pile depths and assessed structural condition without excavation or other invasive methods.

As part of system-wide implementation, BDI validated its testing approach by measuring 12 known piles and successfully achieved results within the required ±10% accuracy tolerance. Following field investigations and analysis, BDI delivered comprehensive reports for each bridge, including foundation dimensions, condition assessments, and CAD documentation.

By providing reliable foundation data, BDI helped engineers and TxDOT improve their understanding of bridge foundation performance, support scour evaluations, improve NBIS scour ratings, and make more informed maintenance and asset management decisions across Texas.