Abstracts - Conference Planning and Management - Iowa State ...

High Volume, Remote Sensing, Non-invasive & Repeatable Synchronized Multi-
Discipline Bridge Investigations
Gary J. Weil
Entech Engineering, Inc.
228 Meadowbrook C. C. Way, Ballwin, 63011-1604, US
Phone: 636-207-0200, Email: gjweil@entechworld.com
Abstract:
In 1988 EnTech Engineering, Inc.’s engineers worked with ASTM to write the first bridge Remote
Sensing inspection procedure, D4788. Since then it has performed over 600 bridge inspections
throughout the world. Some as small as 20 feet long and others as long as 5,280 ft. In 2007, it
developed its newest iteration; designated EnSITE VII Complete Bridge Investigation System, to
specifically address the enormous bridge inspection needs of the 21st century. This system, with
multiple sensors mounted on a helicopter, is designed to totally use remote sensing to: 1) Perform a
complete structural 3D dimension investigation with accuracy of 2cm in 3D space; 2) Detect and map
all previous deck pavement repairs and surface spalling; 3) Detect and map internal concrete and
asphalt covered concrete deck pavement half-depth and full-depth delaminations and internal corrosion
areas; 4) Develop full defect statistics in both spread sheet and image formats for easy interpretation
and integration into Client GIS systems; 5) All data collection is totally repeatable, so when data
collection is repeated every few years, trend analysis may be performed to determine when the most
economical time to perform repairs or replacement is to be performed; 6) Data collection on up to 50
bridge structures can be performed per day or night; and because of the high volume 7) Total bridge
inspection costs are up to half for data that is more accurate and timely than any other existing single or
combination of techniques.
This paper will present a description of the technologies developed for this new inspection
system along with a case study of it used on the I270 ‘Chain of Rocks Bridge’ 5,200-foot long x 4 lanes
wide bridge over the Mississippi River.
427 ABSTRACTS