Tag: Structural Inspection

Battling Bridge Scour With Research, Inspections, And Training

Some of the most important foundational elements of a bridge are its least visible – the abutments, piers, piles, and footings submerged under the waterline. That’s where bridge inspectors look for scour – the erosion of soil surrounding a bridge foundation (piers and abutments). Bridge scour occurs when fast-moving water around a bridge removes sediment… Read More »

Upon Further Inspection, Is That a Drone in the Chimney?

Santa comes down the chimney with a bound – or so goes the old poem. But Santa isn’t alone in navigating tight spaces. Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have been used in a few chimneys this year in Wisconsin. The chimneys in question are state-owned heating plant chimney stacks. Normally an inspector would need to rappel… Read More »

Turn Your Aging Bridge into a Community Highlight

By Dan Sydow, PE Nearly 40% of the United States’ 600,000 bridges are over 50 years old, so chances are your community has an aging structure in need of replacement. But you may be able to turn an unavoidable expense into a bonus for your community, and maybe even draw in tourists. Your first priority… Read More »