NHI 130092 – Bridge Inspection for
Common Structural Deficiencies: Verified
Questions and Answers | Instant PDF Study
Guide
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of a bridge inspection program?
A. To determine the aesthetic quality of a bridge
B. To establish the bridge's construction cost
C. To identify structural deficiencies and evaluate the bridge's
condition and safety
D. To determine the maximum traffic volume a bridge can carry
Rationale: The primary purpose of bridge inspection is to
identify deficiencies, document the condition of structural
components, and provide information needed to manage bridge
safety and maintenance. Inspection findings support decisions
about repairs, rehabilitation, load restrictions, and continued
service.
Question 2
,Which of the following is generally considered a common
structural deficiency in reinforced concrete bridge members?
A. Excessive paint thickness
B. Concrete cracking, spalling, and exposed reinforcement
C. Faded lane markings
D. Dirty expansion joints
Rationale: Cracking, spalling, and exposed reinforcing steel are
common concrete deficiencies. They can indicate deterioration
mechanisms such as corrosion, freeze-thaw damage, overload,
or inadequate detailing. These conditions can reduce durability
and, when severe, structural capacity.
Question 3
What is concrete spalling?
A. A discoloration caused by surface dirt
B. A strengthening technique used on concrete
C. The breaking away or loss of portions of the concrete
surface
D. The intentional removal of reinforcing steel
Rationale: Spalling occurs when portions of concrete detach
from a member. It may result from reinforcement corrosion,
freeze-thaw action, impact, fire, or other deterioration
,mechanisms. Significant spalling can expose reinforcement and
reduce the effective concrete section.
Question 4
Why is exposed reinforcing steel in a reinforced concrete bridge
member a concern?
A. It always indicates immediate collapse
B. It increases the member's resistance to corrosion
C. It improves the bond between concrete and steel
D. It can allow corrosion to accelerate and may reduce the
effective structural section
Rationale: Reinforcing steel is normally protected by the
surrounding concrete. When reinforcement becomes exposed,
moisture, oxygen, and contaminants can reach the steel more
readily, promoting corrosion. Corrosion can reduce steel cross-
sectional area and cause additional concrete cracking and
spalling.
Question 5
Which condition is most directly associated with corrosion of
reinforcing steel in concrete?
, A. Increased concrete alkalinity
B. Loss of the protective environment around the
reinforcement
C. Increased concrete cover
D. Reduced exposure to moisture
Rationale: Reinforcing steel is protected in sound concrete by its
highly alkaline environment and adequate concrete cover.
Chlorides, carbonation, cracking, and other mechanisms can
compromise this protection and initiate corrosion.
Question 6
What is a major reason bridge inspectors document the
location and extent of a deficiency?
A. To make the inspection report longer
B. To eliminate the need for future inspections
C. To establish the severity and progression of deterioration
and support maintenance decisions
D. To determine the bridge's original construction date
Rationale: Accurate documentation provides a baseline for
evaluating deterioration over time. Recording location,
dimensions, severity, and other relevant characteristics allows
future inspectors and bridge managers to determine whether a
deficiency is stable, worsening, or repaired.
Common Structural Deficiencies: Verified
Questions and Answers | Instant PDF Study
Guide
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of a bridge inspection program?
A. To determine the aesthetic quality of a bridge
B. To establish the bridge's construction cost
C. To identify structural deficiencies and evaluate the bridge's
condition and safety
D. To determine the maximum traffic volume a bridge can carry
Rationale: The primary purpose of bridge inspection is to
identify deficiencies, document the condition of structural
components, and provide information needed to manage bridge
safety and maintenance. Inspection findings support decisions
about repairs, rehabilitation, load restrictions, and continued
service.
Question 2
,Which of the following is generally considered a common
structural deficiency in reinforced concrete bridge members?
A. Excessive paint thickness
B. Concrete cracking, spalling, and exposed reinforcement
C. Faded lane markings
D. Dirty expansion joints
Rationale: Cracking, spalling, and exposed reinforcing steel are
common concrete deficiencies. They can indicate deterioration
mechanisms such as corrosion, freeze-thaw damage, overload,
or inadequate detailing. These conditions can reduce durability
and, when severe, structural capacity.
Question 3
What is concrete spalling?
A. A discoloration caused by surface dirt
B. A strengthening technique used on concrete
C. The breaking away or loss of portions of the concrete
surface
D. The intentional removal of reinforcing steel
Rationale: Spalling occurs when portions of concrete detach
from a member. It may result from reinforcement corrosion,
freeze-thaw action, impact, fire, or other deterioration
,mechanisms. Significant spalling can expose reinforcement and
reduce the effective concrete section.
Question 4
Why is exposed reinforcing steel in a reinforced concrete bridge
member a concern?
A. It always indicates immediate collapse
B. It increases the member's resistance to corrosion
C. It improves the bond between concrete and steel
D. It can allow corrosion to accelerate and may reduce the
effective structural section
Rationale: Reinforcing steel is normally protected by the
surrounding concrete. When reinforcement becomes exposed,
moisture, oxygen, and contaminants can reach the steel more
readily, promoting corrosion. Corrosion can reduce steel cross-
sectional area and cause additional concrete cracking and
spalling.
Question 5
Which condition is most directly associated with corrosion of
reinforcing steel in concrete?
, A. Increased concrete alkalinity
B. Loss of the protective environment around the
reinforcement
C. Increased concrete cover
D. Reduced exposure to moisture
Rationale: Reinforcing steel is protected in sound concrete by its
highly alkaline environment and adequate concrete cover.
Chlorides, carbonation, cracking, and other mechanisms can
compromise this protection and initiate corrosion.
Question 6
What is a major reason bridge inspectors document the
location and extent of a deficiency?
A. To make the inspection report longer
B. To eliminate the need for future inspections
C. To establish the severity and progression of deterioration
and support maintenance decisions
D. To determine the bridge's original construction date
Rationale: Accurate documentation provides a baseline for
evaluating deterioration over time. Recording location,
dimensions, severity, and other relevant characteristics allows
future inspectors and bridge managers to determine whether a
deficiency is stable, worsening, or repaired.
