Rapid Evaluation of 18 Miles of Bridge Decks
BDI partnered with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) to perform a comprehensive nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of four major I-10 bridge structures spanning the Reserve Relief Canal and Lake Pontchartrain. Covering approximately 18 miles of bridge deck, the project presented a unique inspection challenge that was efficiently addressed using BDI’s vehicle-mounted testing technologies.
The objective was to assess overall deck condition and identify the location and extent of deterioration without disrupting traffic. To accomplish this, BDI deployed a suite of advanced evaluation methods, including its proprietary SounDAR acoustic testing system, Infrared Thermography (IR), High-Resolution Imaging (HRI) with crack mapping, high-speed Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), and concrete coring with chloride testing.
These complementary technologies enabled engineers to detect delaminations, evaluate cracking, map reinforcement cover depths, evaluate chloride induced corrosion of reinforcement and determine deterioration mechanisms. Vehicle-mounted equipment allowed large sections of bridge deck to be evaluated safely and efficiently while minimizing or fully elimination the need for static lane closures.
Following data collection, BDI engineers analyzed the results and provided LADOTD with detailed condition assessments for each structure and span. The comprehensive findings delivered critical information on deck health and defect locations, helping LADOTD make informed maintenance, repair, and asset management decisions.
