Proposed Criteria for the In-Service Inspection of Pedestrian Bridges

Abstract

In recent years, the design and construction of pedestrian bridges have gone beyond those that simply provide a safe passage for pedestrians to cross obstacles. These structures are often designed to be iconic works of art that are integrated into the overall design plan of the city. However, the pleasant appearance of these bridges often results in designs requiring very complex structural systems, unique fabrication requirements, and significant construction challenges. While in-service inspection is a crucial part of ensuring the safe and reliable functionality of all bridges during their service life, there are no specific uniform national criteria for in-service inspections applicable to pedestrian bridges in the United States nor specific training requirements for such inspectors. In contrast, federal law governs the intervals, scope, and inspector training requirements for highway bridges. Mapping the existing strategies for inspection used for highway bridges directly, however, may not be the best approach. Therefore, research was conducted to develop proposed in-service inspection criteria specifically developed for pedestrian bridges to improve their safety and long-term serviceability. A risk-based inspection approach was adopted to estimate suitable inspection intervals and scope for various types of pedestrian bridges. Additionally, the assessment of safety and serviceability criteria unique to pedestrian bridges is also discussed. Implementing the proposed inspection criteria should increase the safety and serviceability of pedestrian bridges and allow for better utilization of limited inspection resources.