NHI SAFETY INSPECTION OF IN SERVICE BRIDGES FINAL EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Clacking - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅the sound of delaminated concrete
Pinging - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅the sound of "sound" concrete
Where are shear key joints? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅between pre-cast deck panels
Where can you find anchorage zones? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅precast deck tie rods
flexure cracks are primarily what direction compared to the primary reinforcement? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅perpendicular
Main inspection area for FRP bridges? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Joints
Assembly joint without seal- sliding plate - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅two steel plates sliding on top of one
another with maximum movement of 4 inches
Compression joint seal - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅rectangle of neoprene with a honeycomb cross section.
Can handle movement of 2 inches
pourable joint seal - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅made of three materials (backing material, joint filler, and a
poured joint sealant) and can only accommodate movement of 1/4 inch. Used on short spans
strip seal expansion joint - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅two slotted steel anchorages cast into a deck or back
wall. A neoprene seal fits into the grooves to span the joint. max movement of 4 inches
Cellular joint seal - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅different than compression because of material used to close
joint. Made up of closed-cell foam that allows the joint to move in different directions. Allows for both
parallel and perpendicular joint movement
,Assembly joint with seal- plank - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅steel reinforced neoprene that supports
vehicular loads over the joint and allow for movement up to 4 inches
Assembly joint with seal- sheet - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅two blocks of steel reinforced neoprene. thin
sheet of neoprene spans the joint and connects the two blocks. Allows for up to 4 inches
open expansion joint - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅gap between the bridge deck and the back wall of the
abutment or adjacent deck section. usually found on short span bridges, usually unprotected
Assembly joint without seal- finger plate - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅tooth plate joint, two steel plates that
have interlocking fingers. usually on longer spans. can accommodate movement from 4 to 24 inches
drainage system - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅move water away from specific locations (to protect the
bridge)
grade and cross slope - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅directs the runoff to the inlets and helps eliminate or
reduce ponding
inlets - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅receives water
outlet pipes - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅leads water away from the drain
downspout pipes - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅directs deck drainage from outlet pipe
cleanout plugs - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅removable plug in piping system that allows access for cleaning
downspout pipes
drainage troughs - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅located under open joints to divert runoff away from
components
, scupper - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅inlet on a bridge that receives water, with grate or perforated cover to
keep out large debris
Deck Drains - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅open holes or embedded tubes similar to scuppers
downspout - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅directs drainage to nearby storm drain
weep holes - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅small drainage holes found in abutment stems and retaining walls
which allow water to drain from behind abutment
underdrains - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅perforated pipes routed along back face of the abutment and
channeled to a nearby waterway or storm water drainage system
aerial obstruction lighting - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅used to alert aircraft that a hazard exists below
navigation lighting - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅used to safe control a waterway
warning signs - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅alert drivers of existing or potentially hazardous conditions
narrow underpass - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅indicates where the roadway narrow at an underpass or
when there is a pier in the middle of the roadway
traffic regulatory signs - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅instruct drivers to do/ not to do something (speed,
weight)
guide signs - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅contain information to help the driver reach their destination safely
barriers on bridges - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅provide vehicular containment, prevent rollover, minimize
snagging and spinout, provide smooth vehicular redirection within accepted deceleration limits
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Clacking - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅the sound of delaminated concrete
Pinging - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅the sound of "sound" concrete
Where are shear key joints? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅between pre-cast deck panels
Where can you find anchorage zones? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅precast deck tie rods
flexure cracks are primarily what direction compared to the primary reinforcement? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅perpendicular
Main inspection area for FRP bridges? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Joints
Assembly joint without seal- sliding plate - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅two steel plates sliding on top of one
another with maximum movement of 4 inches
Compression joint seal - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅rectangle of neoprene with a honeycomb cross section.
Can handle movement of 2 inches
pourable joint seal - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅made of three materials (backing material, joint filler, and a
poured joint sealant) and can only accommodate movement of 1/4 inch. Used on short spans
strip seal expansion joint - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅two slotted steel anchorages cast into a deck or back
wall. A neoprene seal fits into the grooves to span the joint. max movement of 4 inches
Cellular joint seal - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅different than compression because of material used to close
joint. Made up of closed-cell foam that allows the joint to move in different directions. Allows for both
parallel and perpendicular joint movement
,Assembly joint with seal- plank - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅steel reinforced neoprene that supports
vehicular loads over the joint and allow for movement up to 4 inches
Assembly joint with seal- sheet - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅two blocks of steel reinforced neoprene. thin
sheet of neoprene spans the joint and connects the two blocks. Allows for up to 4 inches
open expansion joint - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅gap between the bridge deck and the back wall of the
abutment or adjacent deck section. usually found on short span bridges, usually unprotected
Assembly joint without seal- finger plate - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅tooth plate joint, two steel plates that
have interlocking fingers. usually on longer spans. can accommodate movement from 4 to 24 inches
drainage system - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅move water away from specific locations (to protect the
bridge)
grade and cross slope - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅directs the runoff to the inlets and helps eliminate or
reduce ponding
inlets - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅receives water
outlet pipes - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅leads water away from the drain
downspout pipes - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅directs deck drainage from outlet pipe
cleanout plugs - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅removable plug in piping system that allows access for cleaning
downspout pipes
drainage troughs - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅located under open joints to divert runoff away from
components
, scupper - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅inlet on a bridge that receives water, with grate or perforated cover to
keep out large debris
Deck Drains - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅open holes or embedded tubes similar to scuppers
downspout - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅directs drainage to nearby storm drain
weep holes - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅small drainage holes found in abutment stems and retaining walls
which allow water to drain from behind abutment
underdrains - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅perforated pipes routed along back face of the abutment and
channeled to a nearby waterway or storm water drainage system
aerial obstruction lighting - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅used to alert aircraft that a hazard exists below
navigation lighting - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅used to safe control a waterway
warning signs - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅alert drivers of existing or potentially hazardous conditions
narrow underpass - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅indicates where the roadway narrow at an underpass or
when there is a pier in the middle of the roadway
traffic regulatory signs - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅instruct drivers to do/ not to do something (speed,
weight)
guide signs - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅contain information to help the driver reach their destination safely
barriers on bridges - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅provide vehicular containment, prevent rollover, minimize
snagging and spinout, provide smooth vehicular redirection within accepted deceleration limits
