Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Section 4. ELEMENTS OF INSPECTION <br /> <br />4-4.1 Inspection Sequence. <br /> <br />A logical sequence for inspecting culverts helps insure that a thorough and <br />complete inspection will be conducted. More than just the components of a <br />culvert should be evaluated; look also for high water marks, changes in the <br />drainage area, settlement of the roadway, and other indications of potential <br />problems. A general plan is therefore useful to avoid oversights. <br /> <br />For typical culvert installations it is usually convenient to begin the field <br />inspection with general observations of the overall condition of the structure <br />and an inspection of the approach roadway. The inspector should select one <br />end of the culvert and inspect the embankment, waterway, headwa11s, wingwal1s, <br />and culvert barrel. The inspector should then move to the other end of the <br />culvert. Detailed inspection guidelines are provided in the Culvert Component <br />Inspection Guide, found in chaper 5 of this manual; and the following general <br />elements of inspection are discussed briefly in this section. <br /> <br />a. Review of available information <br /> <br />b. Observation of overall condition <br /> <br />c. Approach roadway and embankment <br />d. Waterway <br />e. Headwa11s and wingwa1ls <br />f. Culvert barrel <br /> <br />4-4.2 Review of Available Information. <br /> <br />Previous inspection reports and plans, when available, should be reviewed <br />prior to, and possibly during, the field inspection. A review of previous <br />reports will familiarize the inspector with the structure and make detection <br />of changed conditions easier. A review will also indicate critical areas that <br />need special attention and the possible need for special equipment. <br /> <br />4-4.3 Observation of Overall Condition. <br /> <br />General observations of the condition of the culvert should be made while <br />approaching the culvert area. The purpose of these initial observations is <br />similar to the plan review as it familiarizes the inspector with the <br />structure, may point out a need to modify the inspection sequence, or indicate <br />areas requiring special attention. The inspector should also be alert for <br />changes in the drainage area that might affect runoff characteristics. For <br />example, a change in land use from agricultural to commercial could result in <br /> <br />63 <br />