NHI 130056 – Safety Inspection of In-Service
Bridges for Professional Engineers
Examination Practice Test: Verified
Questions and Answers | Instant PDF Study
Guide
1. What is the primary objective of a safety inspection of an
in-service bridge?
A. To determine whether the bridge should be aesthetically
renovated
B. To establish the bridge's construction cost
C. To identify conditions that could adversely affect structural
safety or serviceability
D. To determine the bridge's remaining paint life
Rationale: The fundamental purpose of an in-service bridge
safety inspection is to identify structural and functional
deficiencies that could compromise the safety or serviceability
of the bridge. The inspection provides information needed for
maintenance, repair, load restriction, rehabilitation, or other
corrective actions.
2. Which inspection activity generally requires the inspector
to assess both visible conditions and the potential
significance of concealed deterioration?
,A. Reviewing traffic counts
B. Examining structural components and considering
deterioration that may not be immediately visible
C. Measuring roadway lane widths only
D. Recording the bridge's posted speed limit
Rationale: Bridge deterioration can occur beneath protective
coatings, inside members, at connections, or in inaccessible
areas. A competent inspector must interpret visible evidence
and determine whether additional investigation, testing, or
access is needed to identify concealed deficiencies.
3. Which of the following is most important when an
inspector encounters a condition that may pose an
immediate threat to public safety?
A. Waiting until the next scheduled inspection
B. Recording the condition without notifying anyone
C. Photographing the condition and leaving the site
D. Taking appropriate immediate action and notifying the
responsible authority
Rationale: Potentially hazardous conditions require prompt
communication and appropriate protective action. Depending
on severity, this can include restricting traffic, closing a lane or
the bridge, implementing temporary measures, and
immediately notifying the responsible bridge owner or
authority.
, 4. What is the primary reason inspectors should examine
bridge members systematically rather than relying on a
general visual impression?
A. To reduce the number of photographs required
B. To reduce the likelihood of overlooking localized or
significant defects
C. To eliminate the need for engineering judgment
D. To avoid documenting minor deficiencies
Rationale: A systematic inspection procedure improves
consistency and completeness. Localized cracking, section loss,
connection problems, scour, or other defects can be missed
when an inspection is based only on an overall visual
impression.
5. Which condition is most directly associated with corrosion
of a steel bridge member?
A. Increased concrete alkalinity
B. Loss of cross-sectional area
C. Increased steel yield strength
D. Reduction in traffic volume
Rationale: Corrosion removes steel from the member and
therefore reduces its cross-sectional area. Significant section
loss can reduce axial, flexural, shear, or connection capacity and
may ultimately compromise structural safety.
, 6. Why should bridge inspectors pay particular attention to
connections in steel bridges?
A. Connections are primarily decorative components
B. Connections are never subjected to fatigue
C. Connections transfer forces between structural members
and can develop critical deterioration or fatigue defects
D. Connections are not affected by corrosion
Rationale: Connections are essential load-transfer locations.
Rivets, bolts, welds, gusset plates, splice plates, and surrounding
material can be affected by corrosion, cracking, distortion,
looseness, or fatigue. A connection deficiency can have
consequences beyond the immediately affected component.
7. Which inspection technique is particularly useful for
identifying small surface-breaking cracks in steel?
A. Measuring roadway grade
B. Close visual examination supplemented, when appropriate,
by nondestructive testing
C. Measuring bridge deck thickness only
D. Recording ambient temperature
Rationale: Close visual examination is the foundation for crack
detection, while appropriate nondestructive examination
methods can provide additional information when cracks are
suspected or difficult to characterize visually. The selected
Bridges for Professional Engineers
Examination Practice Test: Verified
Questions and Answers | Instant PDF Study
Guide
1. What is the primary objective of a safety inspection of an
in-service bridge?
A. To determine whether the bridge should be aesthetically
renovated
B. To establish the bridge's construction cost
C. To identify conditions that could adversely affect structural
safety or serviceability
D. To determine the bridge's remaining paint life
Rationale: The fundamental purpose of an in-service bridge
safety inspection is to identify structural and functional
deficiencies that could compromise the safety or serviceability
of the bridge. The inspection provides information needed for
maintenance, repair, load restriction, rehabilitation, or other
corrective actions.
2. Which inspection activity generally requires the inspector
to assess both visible conditions and the potential
significance of concealed deterioration?
,A. Reviewing traffic counts
B. Examining structural components and considering
deterioration that may not be immediately visible
C. Measuring roadway lane widths only
D. Recording the bridge's posted speed limit
Rationale: Bridge deterioration can occur beneath protective
coatings, inside members, at connections, or in inaccessible
areas. A competent inspector must interpret visible evidence
and determine whether additional investigation, testing, or
access is needed to identify concealed deficiencies.
3. Which of the following is most important when an
inspector encounters a condition that may pose an
immediate threat to public safety?
A. Waiting until the next scheduled inspection
B. Recording the condition without notifying anyone
C. Photographing the condition and leaving the site
D. Taking appropriate immediate action and notifying the
responsible authority
Rationale: Potentially hazardous conditions require prompt
communication and appropriate protective action. Depending
on severity, this can include restricting traffic, closing a lane or
the bridge, implementing temporary measures, and
immediately notifying the responsible bridge owner or
authority.
, 4. What is the primary reason inspectors should examine
bridge members systematically rather than relying on a
general visual impression?
A. To reduce the number of photographs required
B. To reduce the likelihood of overlooking localized or
significant defects
C. To eliminate the need for engineering judgment
D. To avoid documenting minor deficiencies
Rationale: A systematic inspection procedure improves
consistency and completeness. Localized cracking, section loss,
connection problems, scour, or other defects can be missed
when an inspection is based only on an overall visual
impression.
5. Which condition is most directly associated with corrosion
of a steel bridge member?
A. Increased concrete alkalinity
B. Loss of cross-sectional area
C. Increased steel yield strength
D. Reduction in traffic volume
Rationale: Corrosion removes steel from the member and
therefore reduces its cross-sectional area. Significant section
loss can reduce axial, flexural, shear, or connection capacity and
may ultimately compromise structural safety.
, 6. Why should bridge inspectors pay particular attention to
connections in steel bridges?
A. Connections are primarily decorative components
B. Connections are never subjected to fatigue
C. Connections transfer forces between structural members
and can develop critical deterioration or fatigue defects
D. Connections are not affected by corrosion
Rationale: Connections are essential load-transfer locations.
Rivets, bolts, welds, gusset plates, splice plates, and surrounding
material can be affected by corrosion, cracking, distortion,
looseness, or fatigue. A connection deficiency can have
consequences beyond the immediately affected component.
7. Which inspection technique is particularly useful for
identifying small surface-breaking cracks in steel?
A. Measuring roadway grade
B. Close visual examination supplemented, when appropriate,
by nondestructive testing
C. Measuring bridge deck thickness only
D. Recording ambient temperature
Rationale: Close visual examination is the foundation for crack
detection, while appropriate nondestructive examination
methods can provide additional information when cracks are
suspected or difficult to characterize visually. The selected
