BRIDGE INSPECTION MANUAL PART 4: BRIDGE INSPECTION

Chapter 6: Approaches

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 6
SECTION 6.1 SECTION 6.2 Subsection 6.2.1 Subsection 6.2.2 Subsection 6.2.3 SECTION 6.3 SECTION 6.4

APPROACHES ............................................................................... 2
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... 2 APPROACH INSPECTION .................................................................................... 3 Concrete Approaches ............................................................................................ 3 Bituminous Approaches ......................................................................................... 5 Gravel Approaches ................................................................................................ 7 NBI APPROACH ALIGNMENT RATING ............................................................... 8 ADDITIONAL APPROACH ITEMS ........................................................................ 9

Table of Figures
Figure 4:6-1: Concrete Approach .................................................................................................................. 2 Figure 4:6-2: Concrete Approach With Wide Cracks .................................................................................... 4 Figure 4:6-3: Bituminous Approach Roadway in Very Good Condition ........................................................ 5 Figure 4:6-4: Bituminous Approach Roadway With Cracks .......................................................................... 6 Figure 4:6-5: Bituminous Approach With Wedge .......................................................................................... 6 Figure 4:6-6: Bituminous Approach Roadway With Transverse Cracks ....................................................... 7

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SECTION 6.1

Chapter 6: Approaches Introduction

APPROACHES
INTRODUCTION

Approaches are the slabs or roadways located on either end of the bridge. Approaches need to be monitored because they can affect the safety and serviceability of a bridge. A poor approach can increase impact loads to the bridge deck and the end expansion joints. It can also reduce the safety of the bridge, leading to vehicle impacts to the structure.

Figure 4:6-1: Concrete Approach

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SECTION 6.2 APPROACH INSPECTION

Chapter 6: Approaches Approach Inspection

The primary function of the approach is to provide a smooth transition between the roadway pavement and the bridge deck. This smooth transition decreases the impact forces on the bridge superstructure, increasing bridge safety and driver comfort. The pavement structure varies with the type of approach roadway. Bituminous approaches utilize a bituminous wearing surface over a concrete or bituminous subbase. Concrete approaches are constructed with a concrete slab over an aggregate subbase and a relief joint. The subgrade material for these approaches is the prepared and compacted soil or gravel immediately beneath the approach. Gravel approaches are installed over compacted fill. Vertical settlement of the approach is caused by the consolidation or loss of the subgrade materials. Settlement is especially a problem near the abutment. Heave or uplift can also occur due to rotation of the abutment or the expansion of frozen subgrade material. The riding surface of any approach should be smooth, free of potholes, and properly sloped for drainage. Embankment slopes along the roadway shoulder should have adequate vegetation or riprap to provide erosion control. Roadway inlets located in the approach area should be in good condition and fully operational. Joints between the approach and the abutment backwall should be examined. Joints designed for thermal movement must be checked for movement and leaking.

Subsection 6.2.1

Concrete Approaches

A concrete approach is a reinforced concrete slab that bears on the abutment at one end. The opposite end bears on a sleeper slab or compacted fill. A sleeper slab is a strip footing running the width of the approach. The approach slab functions as a reinforced concrete bridge designed to span between the abutment and the sleeper slab. If there is no sleeper slab, the concrete approach slab bears on the compacted fill. If these approach slabs are not reinforced, they are subject to flexural cracking as the fill settles. Modern design calls for a concrete approach slab to be connected to the abutment with a minimal amount of reinforcing to allow for movement of the slab. The slab is poured with the deck and saw cut over the reinforcing. Concrete approaches on concrete roadways typically have a pavement relief joint between the approach and the roadway pavement. A relief joint is a strip of asphalt that compresses as the roadway pavement expands or migrates towards the bridge. Compression of this relief joint reduces the roadway pavement lateral load on the approach and abutment backwall.

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Inspection of concrete approaches should include the following:

Chapter 6: Approaches Approach Inspection

Look for settlement or heaving of the approach roadway. If settlement has occurred, check for evidence of a crack close to the center of the approach. Settlement may be caused by lost fill material under or around the abutment.

Look for common concrete defects in the approach, such as potholes, cracking, and dips. Cracking, unevenness, or movement under traffic in a concrete approach may indicate a void under the approach from fill settlement, erosion, or pumping.

Examine the joint between the approach and the abutment backwall. Some of these joints are designed for thermal movement. Determine if there is adequate clearance to provide for this movement. If the joint was designed for a water seal, determine if the seal is leaking.

Examine the embankments and slopes for evidence of erosion or undermining. Check the drainage system for evidence that it is operating properly. Notify the bridge owner of any approach settlement that forces motorists to slow down.

Figure 4:6-2: Concrete Approach With Wide Cracks

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Subsection 6.2.2 Bituminous Approaches

Chapter 6: Approaches Approach Inspection

A bituminous approach consists of asphalt paving placed over a concrete or bituminous subbase and compacted fill material. Inspection of bituminous approaches should include the following: Check for approach settlement. Pronounced settling will be evident if the top corner of the abutment backwall or paving notch is exposed, or a significant dip in the approach pavement is evident. Settlement may be caused by lost fill material under or around the abutment. Look for ruts in the wheel paths of the traffic lane(s). Look for approach cracking. Look for potholes or localized dips in the approach. Dips may be caused when fill has washed out underneath the approach pavement. Check for approach raveling. Raveling is the progressive separation of aggregate from the asphalt binder. The pavement surface will have a gravel-like appearance. Check for approach shoving, which will have the appearance of transverse ripples. Shoving is caused by a lack of pavement structure stability. Examine the embankments and slopes for evidence of erosion or undermining. Check that the drainage system is operating properly. Notify the bridge owner of any approach settlement that forces motorists to slow down.

Figure 4:6-3: Bituminous Approach Roadway in Very Good Condition

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Chapter 6: Approaches Approach Inspection

Figure 4:6-4: Bituminous Approach Roadway With Cracks

Figure 4:6-5: Bituminous Approach With Wedge

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Chapter 6: Approaches Approach Inspection

Figure 4:6-6: Bituminous Approach Roadway With Transverse Cracks

Subsection 6.2.3

Gravel Approaches

Gravel approaches are used on unpaved roads in rural areas with very low traffic volumes. Inspection of gravel approaches should include the following: Check for potholes or depressions. Potholes or depressions can be a safety hazard to motorists and can increase traffic impact on the bridge. Look for ruts in the wheel paths of the traffic lane. Check for approach gravel that has pushed onto the bridge deck. Look for approach gravel material that has washed off of the roadway. Examine the embankments and slopes for evidence of erosion or undermining. Check that the drainage system is operating properly.

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SECTION 6.3

Chapter 6: Approaches NBI Approach Alignment Rating

NBI APPROACH ALIGNMENT RATING

The National Bridge Inventory (NBI) rating for the approach alignment (Item 72) is based on the adequacy of the approach roadway alignment. It identifies bridges which do not function properly or adequately due to the alignment of the approaches. The roadway alignment is compared to the existing highway alignment, not current standards. For example, if the highway alignment requires a substantial reduction in speed, and the approach only requires a minor additional reduction in speed, the rating would be 6. Speed reductions necessary because of the width of the bridge and not the alignment are not considered in evaluating this item. Rate the reduction in speed over one bridge length or 200 feet, whichever is greater, in accordance with the following criteria: Code (Rating) Description 8 6 VERY GOOD CONDITION no speed reduction required SATISFACTORY CONDITION a very minor speed reduction of less than five mph is required 4 3 POOR CONDITION a speed reduction between five and 10 mph is required SERIOUS CONDITION horizontal or vertical alignment requires a substantial reduction of more than 10 mph in the vehicle operating speed from that on the highway section 1 FAILURE CONDITION vehicles must slow to 10 mph or less before driving onto the bridge The rating for NBI Item 72 must be entered in the Central Database.

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SECTION 6.4 ADDITIONAL APPROACH ITEMS

Chapter 6: Approaches Additional Approach Items

The following items pertaining to the approaches are required to be rated and entered into the Central Database for state bridges. Each item shall be rated as a stand-alone item, assessing its condition independently. Each item shall be rated as follows unless otherwise noted: N 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Not Applicable Excellent Condition new Very Good Condition no problems noted; functioning as designed Good Condition some minor problems, but functioning as designed Satisfactory Condition minor problems, but functioning as designed Fair Condition minor deterioration, but functioning as designed Poor Condition advanced deterioration or not able to function as designed Serious Condition deterioration or inadequate to function as designed Critical Condition deterioration and inadequate to function as designed Imminent Failure Condition unsafe Failed Condition beyond corrective action

ITEM 72.01 ALIGNMENT FOR THE ROADWAY CARRIED ON THE BRIDGE

This condition rating is the rating described in Section 6.3 for NBI Item 72. The rating reflects any speed reduction required from the speed on the highway. Rate the reduction in speed over one bridge length or 200 feet, whichever is greater, in accordance with the following: 8 6 VERY GOOD CONDITION no speed reduction required SATISFACTORY CONDITION a very minor speed reduction of less than five mph is required 4 3 POOR CONDITION a speed reduction between five and 10 mph is required SERIOUS CONDITION horizontal or vertical alignment requires a substantial reduction of more than 10 mph in the vehicle operating speed from that on the highway section 1 FAILURE CONDITION vehicles must slow to 10 mph or less before driving onto the bridge

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Chapter 6: Approaches Additional Approach Items

ITEM 72.02 APPROACH SLAB FOR THE ROADWAY CARRIED ON THE BRIDGE
The condition rating reflects the overall condition of the bridge approach slabs, including settlement, potholes, cracking, dipping, rutting, shoving, pushing, and the condition of the drainage system.

ITEM 72.03 RELIEF JOINTS FOR THE ROADWAY CARRIED ON THE BRIDGE
A relief joint is a strip of asphalt that compresses as the roadway pavement expands or migrates towards the bridge. Compression of this relief joint minimizes the roadway pavement from pushing on the approach and abutment backwall. Rate the overall condition of the joints.

ITEM 72.04 APPROACH GUARDRAIL FOR THE ROADWAY CARRIED ON THE BRIDGE
Rate the condition of the guardrail and the adequacy of the guardrail to redirect vehicles safely compared to new guardrail meeting existing guardrail standards.

ITEM 72.05 PAVEMENT ON THE ROADWAY CARRIED ON THE BRIDGE

Rate the overall condition of the approach pavement for the roadway carried on the bridge, including potholes, cracking, dipping, rutting, shoving, pushing, and the condition of the drainage system. Rate the pavement over one bridge length, or 200 feet, whichever is greater.

ITEM 72.06 SHOULDERS ON THE ROADWAY CARRIED ON THE BRIDGE

Rate the overall condition of the shoulders, including slope stability and safety.

ITEM 72.07 MEDIAN ON THE ROADWAY CARRIED ON THE BRIDGE

Rate the median for its ability to safely separate traffic.

ITEM 72.08 ALIGNMENT FOR THE ROADWAY UNDER THE BRIDGE

Rate the reduction in speed of the roadway passing under the bridge over one bridge length, or 200 feet, whichever is greater, in accordance with the following: 8 6 VERY GOOD CONDITION no speed reduction required SATISFACTORY CONDITION a very minor speed reduction of less than five mph is required 4 POOR CONDITION a speed reduction between five and 10 mph is required

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Chapter 6: Approaches Additional Approach Items

SERIOUS CONDITION horizontal or vertical alignment requires a substantial reduction of more than 10 mph in the vehicle operating speed from that on the highway section.

FAILURE CONDITION vehicles must slow to 10 mph or less before driving onto the bridge

ITEM 72.09 GUARD RAIL FOR THE ROADWAY UNDER THE BRIDGE
Rate the condition of the guard rail along the roadway under the bridge and the adequacy of the guard rail to redirect vehicles safely, as compared to new guardrail meeting existing guardrail standards.

ITEM 72.10 IMPACT ATTENUATORS FOR THE ROADWAY UNDER THE BRIDGE
Rate the ability of the impact attenuators to provide a safe cushion in a crash.

ITEM 72.11 PAVEMENT FOR THE ROADWAY UNDER THE BRIDGE

Rate the overall condition of the roadway under the bridge, including potholes, cracking, dipping, rutting, shoving, pushing, and the condition of the drainage system.

ITEM 72.12 SPEED REDUCTION FOR THE ROADWAY CARRIED ON THE BRIDGE
This rating reflects any speed reduction required for the roadway carried on the bridge from the speed on the highway: 1 2 3 Substantial; over five mph Minor; less than five mph None

ITEM 72.13 SPEED REDUCTION FOR THE ROADWAY UNDER THE BRIDGE
This rating reflects any speed reduction required for the roadway carried on the bridge from the speed on the highway. 1 2 3 Substantial; over five mph Minor; less than five mph None

ITEM 72.14 POSTED SPEED LIMIT FOR THE ROADWAY CARRIED ON THE BRIDGE
Enter the posted speed limit for the roadway carried on the bridge.

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Chapter 6: Approaches Additional Approach Items

ITEM 72.15 POSTED SPEED LIMIT FOR THE ROADWAY UNDER THE BRIDGE
Enter the posted speed limit for the roadway under the bridge. If there is more than one roadway under the bridge, input the highest speed limit and list the other speed limits in the notes.

ITEM 72.16 EMBANKMENT

Enter the overall condition of the embankment along the roadway, not along the channel.

ITEM 72X OVERALL CONDITION RATING

Enter the overall condition rating for the approach, including pavement condition, alignment, and drainage. This can be different than Item 72.

ITEM 72X RATING BASIS

Describe what item(s) governed the Item 72X rating.

ITEM 63XF ESTIMATED REMAINING LIFE OF APPROACH FEATURES

Estimate the life in years of the approach features, assuming no work will be done. Enter this data in the Central Database.

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