Steel Bridge Testing in Alabama

Interest in nondestructive testing of highway bridges has grown dramatically in recent years. Much of the interest results from the large number of older bridges on state inventories that have posted load limits below normal legal limits. The Alabama Department of Transportation started using load testing to rate highway bridges in 1990 and has since made a significant investment in equipment and personnel in developing the Bridge Rating and Load Test Section. The section provides the capability for many special tests and investigations as well as standard tests for load rating. Insights gained from 46 load tests for bridge ratings are presented to inform other states that are considering the development of load testing capabilities. The procedures used to test and rate steel girder bridges are described.