Steel Structure Evaluation

Steel Structures

BDI delivers specialized nondestructive testing and evaluation (NDT-E) for steel structures, including bridges, dams, towers, and industrial facilities, to ensure safety, integrity, and long-term performance. Our ASNT-certified inspectors (Levels I–III) uphold rigorous field and reporting standards, ready to handle everything from routine pin inspections to urgent evaluations of nonredundant steel tension members (NSTM).
We leverage advanced technologies like phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) and magnetic flux leakage (MFL), and actively develop new solutions such as our Acoustic Differential Method (ADM) to meet evolving industry needs. With decades of experience and a commitment to excellence, BDI empowers clients to make informed decisions, reduce risk, and enhance reliability.

What Can We Do?

Our post-processing workflows transform complex datasets into actionable insights, technical reports, CAD-based feature maps, deterioration statistics, and tailored repair recommendations, all aligned with local municipality or DOT mandates. BDI strives to find the best means and methods for communicating our work, results, and insights to bridge owners, we develop reports containing content and materials such as:

  • Steel Structure

Inspection of steel pins, pin-and-hanger assemblies, anchorage systems, and other critical load carrying elements

Steel weld inspection

Steel condition and configuration assessment

Measurement of in-situ tension of steel anchor rods, bolts, and post-tensioned rods

Section loss measurement of steel stay cables

BDI utilizes a team of ASNT-certified technicians to evaluate plate thickness, rod length, defects, and other features of interest in steel elements in line with relevant industry standards (ASNT, AWS, ASTM, FHWA).

BDI deploys teams of ASNT-certified technicians to evaluate steel welds in line with relevant AWS standards to identify qualities such as lack of fusion, slag, porosity, hydrogen cracking, and other defects.

BDI utilizes a variety of NDE-T methods and ASNT-certified inspectors to measure the thickness of steel rods, plates, and other elements as part of as-built verification projects as well as to identify potential section loss.

BDI has developed its own NDE-T technique called the Acoustic Differential Method (ADM) that leverages a combination of stress/shear wave analysis and geometric/material property assessment to measure the tension on anchor rods and other post-tensioned steel members.

BDI leverages several NDE-T methods for measuring section loss of steel stay cables as a function of corrosion, wear, breaks, or notches.

What We Deliver

As part of the overall analysis and report describing the completed work, means and methods used, and other relevant observations and conclusions from the inspection, the following standard deliverables are typically generated from steel inspection NDT-E services performed by BDI where appropriate. These deliverables provide clear, actionable insights to support structural assessments, maintenance planning, and compliance with industry standards.