Highway infrastructure assets are critical to the productive capacity of our nation’s economy and well-being of the traveling public. The need to manage, maintain, improve, upgrade, and preserve our enormous highway infrastructure assets in an efficient and cost-effective manner has become more apparent. TRB hosted a webinar on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 from 1:00-3:00 PM Eastern that discussed a database asset management system based on non-destructive evaluation (NDE). Presenters explored how NDE methods can improve the accuracy and speed of bridge deck condition rating and deterioration mapping, as well as increase workers’ and travelers’ safety. They presented specific NDE methods, including ground penetrating radar, infrared camera technology, and impact echo techniques. These evaluations can be used in asset management programs for long-term use as well as in project-level evaluations to determine repair/replacement decisions and scopes of work.

This webinar was organized by the TRB Standing Committee on Testing and Evaluation of Transportation Structures.

The slides are linked in the meeting materials below. Click here to view the recording.
Webinar agenda and presenters

1. NDE manual: Hoda Azari, U.S. Federal Highway Administration
2. Indiana case study: Anne Rearick, Indiana Department of Transportation
3. Virginia case study: Soundar Balakumaran, Virginia Department of Transportation
4. Iowa case study: Mike Todsen, Iowa Department of Transportation
5. Question and answer session: Moderated by Sreenivas Alampalli, New York State Department of Transportation

The first 90 minutes of the webinar will be for presentations and the final 30 minutes will be reserved for audience questions.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Identify and select appropriate NDE techniques
2. Identify current NDE practices

Further TRB Resources about this topic:
NCHRP Synthesis 528: Analyzing Data for Measuring Transportation Performance by State DOTs and MPOs
NCHRP Synthesis 556: Asset Management Approaches to Identifying and Evaluating Assets Damaged Due to Emergency Events
NCHRP Research Report 937: Guidebook for Implementing Alternative Technical Concepts in All Types of Highway Project Delivery Methods

Professional Development Hours

Professional Development Hours (PDHs) earned on completion of this program were reported to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Certificates of Completion are issued to all participants via the RCEP.net online system. Complaints about registered providers may be addressed to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC, 20005.