Project Objective

This project designed an expert system to advise bridge inspection teams on fatigue and corrosion of steel bridge superstructures. Steel bridge superstructures were selected since they are the most predominate existing bridge superstructure configuration. The expert system development would begin with a pre-inspection stage designed to collect data on the superstructure, determine the primary and secondary load paths and determine the critical details succeptible to fatigue and corrosion vulnerability. The pre-inspection stage would result in a suggested course of action for superstructure inspection. The expert system would additionally be designed to consult the inspection team during inspection. Techniques for checking details would be suggested and the results of the suggested tests are entered into the system. The during inspection component of the expert system would result in a suggested rating for the primary members and the secondary members. The expert system would also address quality control during inspection. Post inspection routines could also be addressed.