Visual inspection reliability study

摘要

The Visual Inspection method is by far the predominant nondestructive evaluation technique used in bridge inspectiolns and serves as the baseline by which many other nondestructive evaluation technologies and methods can be compared. However, since inception of the National Bridge Inspection Standards in 1971, which mandated regular and periodic bridge inspections, a complete study of the reliability of the Visual Inspection method for bridge inspections has not been undertaken. Given this fact and understanding that the Visual Inspection method has limitations that affect its reliability, a comprehensive study to quantify the reliability of the Visual Inspection method as it is currently preacticed was initiated.