Rapid Automated Deck Evaluation of Arkansas Bridges

BDI partnered with the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) to perform a comprehensive nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of bridge decks within the I-30, I-440, and I-530 interchange in Little Rock, Arkansas. The project aimed to identify and map deck deterioration, providing a detailed assessment of overall bridge deck condition.

To perform a full bridge deck evaluation without disrupting traffic, BDI utilized a combination of advanced inspection technologies, including its proprietary SounDAR acoustic testing system, high-speed Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), high-resolution imaging (HRI) with crack mapping, and concrete coring with chloride testing. Together, these methods enabled engineers to detect delaminations, subsurface defects, moisture intrusion, cracking, and corrosion-related risks and deterioration.

Using vehicle-mounted equipment and high-resolution imaging, BDI collected comprehensive deck data quickly and safely, minimizing the need for lane closures. Engineers then analyzed the results to determine the location, extent, and severity of defects across the bridge decks.

The advanced inspection approach provided ARDOT with a more detailed and accurate understanding of deck conditions than traditional inspection methods, supporting rehabilitation efforts and design of repairs that effectively address the underlying cause and mitigated future deterioration.