NHI Course Number 130055

Description

A detailed description of this course is on the National Highway Institute website. Some highlights from this description are below.

NOTE: This course was updated in 2012 and 2015 and now contains mandatory prerequisite requirements for participants and host requirements in preparation for the field exercises. See details below.

This course is based on the 2015 FHWA “Bridge Inspector’s Reference Manual (BIRM)” and provides training on the safety inspection of in-service highway bridges. The course includes two virtual bridge inspection exercises facilitated using NHI’s virtual bridge inspection (VBI) computer-based training (CBT) technology; instruction on critical findings, their identification and response; curriculum on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) element level inspection approach using the 2013 AASHTO Manual for Bridge Element Inspection 2015 Interim Revisions; and activities that maximize participant engagement throughout the course. This course does not go into depth on fracture critical, underwater, or complex bridge inspections. Other specialty courses, 130078 Fracture Critical Inspection Techniques for Steel Bridges and 130091 Underwater Bridge Inspection, cover these topics.

Participants will be asked to complete mid-term and end-of-course assessments each with a cumulative score of 70% or better to successfully complete the course and receive a certificate of completion. The sponsoring agency/State may monitor the examinations and retain the scores to qualify or certify bridge inspectors. Satisfactory completion of this course will fulfill the comprehensive bridge inspection training requirements of the National Bridge Inspection Standards. Note: Many States have additional requirements to become a bridge inspection team leader.

Required Pre-Requisite

Participant Prerequisite Requirement: ALL participants must have met one of the three prerequisite requirements for participation in this course** and bring a course completion certificate bearing their name to the first day of the class. The passing score for all prerequisites is 70% or better. Individuals have the option to complete one of the three prerequisite requirements:

1. 130054 Engineering Concepts for Bridge Inspectors, a five-day instructor-led course
2. 130101 Introduction to Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges, a 14-hour web-based training and assessment; and/or
3. 130101a Prerequisite Assessment for Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges, a web-based assessment.

**Please note: As noted above, ALL students must successfully meet the prerequisite requirements, and to enter the course each student must have a valid course completion certificate. The prerequisite must also be completed within two years of the course start date. In addition, it is recommended that prior to attending this course participants spend some time in the field, at bridge inspections sites, but it is not required.

Target Audience

The target audience for this course includes Federal, State, and local highway agency employees and consultants involved in inspecting bridges or in bridge inspection management and leadership positions. A background in bridge engineering is strongly recommended. ALL participants must successfully complete (score 70% or better) one of the three prerequisite requirements noted above within two years prior to attending this training.

For More Information

If you have questions or need more information, contact Paul Albritton at 515-294-1231 or palbritt@iastate.edu.