Inspection Techniques for Nonredundant Steel Tension Members (NSTMs)

When cracks are discovered on bridges in service, fatigue is usually the cause. A working knowledge of fatigue susceptible details, AASHTO fatigue categorization, identification of NSTMs, development of inspection plans, and NDE methods and limitations is essential to the proper inspection of both new and in‐service steel structures.

This course will focus on fatigue and fracture from the point of view of inspectors and fabricators. Topics will be focused on steel highway and railroad bridges of all types. Other topics will include: fatigue and fracture performance of steel bridges which have been damaged by impact and subsequently heat straightened; Constraint‐Induced Fracture (Hoan Details) – identification and retrofit, fabrication flaws, prioritizing details for inspection, where to expect cracking, and effective retrofit strategies. This course utilizes the unique S‐BRITE Center Bridge Gallery when on campus, as well as reinforcing concepts discussed in the classroom. When “on the road” multiple large‐scale specimens are brought to the host’s location.

Learning Objectives

Be able to identify and prioritize critical fatigue prone details
Be able to recognize details susceptible to fatigue cracking due to secondary stresses and out-of-plane distortion
Be able to recognize potential fatigue problems which may occur in special situations such as curved bridges, skewed bridges, anchor bolts and sign structures
Be able to recognize and understand issues arising during fabrication as related to material, fracture toughness, defects, shop/field repairs, mill scale, tack welds, etc.
Understand differences in redundant and non-redundant bridges
Be familiar with the most common forms of NDT
And identify details susceptible to constraint induced fracture (CIF)

Course Instructors

Learn more about our instructors on the Our Team page.

Dr. Robert Connor
Dr. Jason Lloyd
Tom Bradt

Time

2-1/2 day course

Registration Costs

S-BRITE Partner Agency - Included in Partnership

Non-Partner Agency - $995

Upcoming Courses

Date/Time: November 13-15, 2024 in West Lafayette, IN

Day 1 & 2 - 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Day 3 - 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Location: Bowen Laboratory, 1040 S. River Road, West Lafayette, IN 47907

Registration Link: http://www.purdue.edu/conferences/NSTM11