LOUISIANA BRIDGE BEARING
INSTALLATION INSPECTION
EXAMINATION WITH QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS, PLUS DETAILED
RATIONALES/EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS 2026/LATEST
UPDATE/INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. During installation of a bridge bearing, the primary purpose of the
bearing assembly is to:
A. Increase the dead load carried by the bridge deck
B. Transfer loads from the superstructure to the substructure while
permitting the required movements and rotations
C. Prevent all horizontal movement between the superstructure and
substructure
D. Eliminate the need for expansion joints
Answer: B. Transfer loads from the superstructure to the
substructure while permitting the required movements and
rotations
Rationale: Bridge bearings are structural load-transfer components.
They transmit vertical and, where applicable, horizontal forces to the
substructure while accommodating thermal expansion, contraction,
rotation, shrinkage, creep, and other movements required by the
bridge design. A bearing that prevents movements or rotations that the
design requires can generate unintended forces and potentially
damage the bridge.
1
, 2. Before a bearing is installed, the inspector should first verify that
the bearing:
A. Has the largest possible load capacity regardless of the plans
B. Matches the approved plans, specifications, shop drawings, and
identification information
C. Has been painted the same color as the structural steel
D. Has been installed previously on another bridge
Answer: B. Matches the approved plans, specifications, shop
drawings, and identification information
Rationale: Proper bearing identification is fundamental to inspection.
Bearings may differ in type, dimensions, orientation, movement
capacity, load capacity, and installation configuration. The inspector
should verify the supplied bearing against the approved project
documentation before allowing installation.
3. A major concern when inspecting the bearing seat before
installation is:
A. Whether the concrete has the same color as the deck
B. Whether the seat is clean, properly finished, correctly located, and
capable of providing the specified bearing surface
C. Whether nearby reinforcing steel has been painted
D. Whether the bridge railing has already been installed
Answer: B. Whether the seat is clean, properly finished, correctly
located, and capable of providing the specified bearing surface
Rationale: The bearing seat provides the foundation for the bearing
assembly. High spots, debris, laitance, incorrect elevation, inadequate
surface preparation, or damaged concrete can prevent uniform load
transfer and create concentrated stresses or bearing misalignment.
2
, 4. What is the most serious concern if dirt, concrete debris, or other
foreign material remains beneath a bearing?
A. It may improve friction between the bearing and concrete
B. It may create uneven support and prevent uniform load transfer
C. It reduces the bearing's temperature
D. It automatically increases bearing capacity
Answer: B. It may create uneven support and prevent uniform load
transfer
Rationale: Foreign material beneath a bearing can create localized
contact points and gaps. This can result in uneven pressure
distribution, unintended rotation, bearing distortion, or excessive
stresses in the bearing and supporting concrete.
5. When inspecting a bearing before installation, which condition
should generally be treated as unacceptable unless specifically
evaluated and approved?
A. Minor identification markings
B. Damage, distortion, cracking, contamination, or unauthorized
modification of the bearing
C. Manufacturer identification
D. Approved orientation markings
Answer: B. Damage, distortion, cracking, contamination, or
unauthorized modification of the bearing
Rationale: Bearings are precision structural components. Damage or
unauthorized modification can change their load-carrying or
movement characteristics. The inspector should document
questionable conditions and obtain appropriate engineering
disposition rather than permitting the contractor to use a damaged
component without authorization.
3
, 6. A bearing that is designed to permit longitudinal movement must
be installed:
A. In any orientation because bearings are symmetrical
B. According to the approved orientation and movement direction
shown in the contract documents
C. With the movement direction reversed
D. With all movement restrained
Answer: B. According to the approved orientation and movement
direction shown in the contract documents
Rationale: Directional bearings are designed to accommodate
movement in a particular direction. Incorrect orientation can restrain
intended movement, create unintended forces, and interfere with the
bridge's movement system.
7. Why is bearing orientation especially important for a guided
expansion bearing?
A. The guide system controls the permitted direction of movement
B. Orientation determines the concrete color
C. The guide system eliminates vertical loads
D. Orientation has no effect on bearing performance
Answer: A. The guide system controls the permitted direction of
movement
Rationale: Guided bearings typically permit movement along a
specified axis while restricting movement in another direction.
Incorrect orientation can cause the bearing to resist movements that
the structure was designed to accommodate.
4
INSTALLATION INSPECTION
EXAMINATION WITH QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS, PLUS DETAILED
RATIONALES/EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS 2026/LATEST
UPDATE/INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. During installation of a bridge bearing, the primary purpose of the
bearing assembly is to:
A. Increase the dead load carried by the bridge deck
B. Transfer loads from the superstructure to the substructure while
permitting the required movements and rotations
C. Prevent all horizontal movement between the superstructure and
substructure
D. Eliminate the need for expansion joints
Answer: B. Transfer loads from the superstructure to the
substructure while permitting the required movements and
rotations
Rationale: Bridge bearings are structural load-transfer components.
They transmit vertical and, where applicable, horizontal forces to the
substructure while accommodating thermal expansion, contraction,
rotation, shrinkage, creep, and other movements required by the
bridge design. A bearing that prevents movements or rotations that the
design requires can generate unintended forces and potentially
damage the bridge.
1
, 2. Before a bearing is installed, the inspector should first verify that
the bearing:
A. Has the largest possible load capacity regardless of the plans
B. Matches the approved plans, specifications, shop drawings, and
identification information
C. Has been painted the same color as the structural steel
D. Has been installed previously on another bridge
Answer: B. Matches the approved plans, specifications, shop
drawings, and identification information
Rationale: Proper bearing identification is fundamental to inspection.
Bearings may differ in type, dimensions, orientation, movement
capacity, load capacity, and installation configuration. The inspector
should verify the supplied bearing against the approved project
documentation before allowing installation.
3. A major concern when inspecting the bearing seat before
installation is:
A. Whether the concrete has the same color as the deck
B. Whether the seat is clean, properly finished, correctly located, and
capable of providing the specified bearing surface
C. Whether nearby reinforcing steel has been painted
D. Whether the bridge railing has already been installed
Answer: B. Whether the seat is clean, properly finished, correctly
located, and capable of providing the specified bearing surface
Rationale: The bearing seat provides the foundation for the bearing
assembly. High spots, debris, laitance, incorrect elevation, inadequate
surface preparation, or damaged concrete can prevent uniform load
transfer and create concentrated stresses or bearing misalignment.
2
, 4. What is the most serious concern if dirt, concrete debris, or other
foreign material remains beneath a bearing?
A. It may improve friction between the bearing and concrete
B. It may create uneven support and prevent uniform load transfer
C. It reduces the bearing's temperature
D. It automatically increases bearing capacity
Answer: B. It may create uneven support and prevent uniform load
transfer
Rationale: Foreign material beneath a bearing can create localized
contact points and gaps. This can result in uneven pressure
distribution, unintended rotation, bearing distortion, or excessive
stresses in the bearing and supporting concrete.
5. When inspecting a bearing before installation, which condition
should generally be treated as unacceptable unless specifically
evaluated and approved?
A. Minor identification markings
B. Damage, distortion, cracking, contamination, or unauthorized
modification of the bearing
C. Manufacturer identification
D. Approved orientation markings
Answer: B. Damage, distortion, cracking, contamination, or
unauthorized modification of the bearing
Rationale: Bearings are precision structural components. Damage or
unauthorized modification can change their load-carrying or
movement characteristics. The inspector should document
questionable conditions and obtain appropriate engineering
disposition rather than permitting the contractor to use a damaged
component without authorization.
3
, 6. A bearing that is designed to permit longitudinal movement must
be installed:
A. In any orientation because bearings are symmetrical
B. According to the approved orientation and movement direction
shown in the contract documents
C. With the movement direction reversed
D. With all movement restrained
Answer: B. According to the approved orientation and movement
direction shown in the contract documents
Rationale: Directional bearings are designed to accommodate
movement in a particular direction. Incorrect orientation can restrain
intended movement, create unintended forces, and interfere with the
bridge's movement system.
7. Why is bearing orientation especially important for a guided
expansion bearing?
A. The guide system controls the permitted direction of movement
B. Orientation determines the concrete color
C. The guide system eliminates vertical loads
D. Orientation has no effect on bearing performance
Answer: A. The guide system controls the permitted direction of
movement
Rationale: Guided bearings typically permit movement along a
specified axis while restricting movement in another direction.
Incorrect orientation can cause the bearing to resist movements that
the structure was designed to accommodate.
4
