9319204 Hearn The use of a structural reliability criterion for evaluation of inspection techniques can provide a rational basis for the design of inspection programs; specifically the selection of inspection techniques and inspection intervals to meet joint demands of ensuring structural safety and of providing sufficient data to support planning of maintenance. A reliability basis for design of inspection programs differs from the simpler consideration of minimum defect size that specific inspection techniques can detect. A reliability basis recognizes critical members in a structure and demands successful detection of damage in these. The basis promotes a selection/evaluation/selection cycle in which inspection programs are tailored to meet specific performance goals. An emphasis on instrument-based NDE techniques and an integration with bridge management systems (BMS) will be followed. Data from instrument-based inspections will be related to structural reliability and will be used to generate parametric measures of structural condition. ***
