A Critical Review of RDSO Guidelines BS 96

On

UNDERWATER INSPECTION OF BRIDGES

Under Guidance of

Shri Ajay Goel

Sr. Prof. Bridge/IRICEN

Girish Kumar, Dy.CE/C/ECR

Back ground:

On 22 June 2001, The train no. 6602, M anglore-Chenn ai Mail met

with an accident over Kadalundi brid ge, in which 57 p assenger died.
It was an 140 yr old bridge and another bridge. The Brid ge was insp ected
by Division and no abnormality was found. It is at the tidal river in Palghat Division of
Southern railway and durin g tide sea water used to rush in. It was a screw p ile brid ge
built in around 1860s and the piles were p erennially submerged.
Later one p ile was dug out on CRS instruction and it was found that the Steel
Shell of Screw Pile was rusted almost to the full thickness at p laces and cracks were
found in the p ortion under water of screw p iles.

Train No 6602 Mangalore Chennai Exp ress on 22 June 2001

met with an accident at Kadalundi, Palghat Division

View of Rusted Screw p iles after the accident

This accident would have been avoid ed had prop er under water inspection of Piles
been conducted. Here, it would be worth mentionin g that In Indian Railway sy stem
only in Southern Railway there are dep artmental divers. But there had been no
guidelin e existing on Under water Insp ection of Brid ges. Indian Railway Brid ge
M anual 1998 p rovides in p ara 1107 (2) (d) simp ly for M asonry substructure Under
water Insp ection.

This sparked a n eed for Under Water Inspection Sy stem of bridges in

th
Indian Railways and on 13 July 2001 Railway Board asked RDSO to prep are
guid elines for underwater Inspection of Bridges and as a result BS-40 was issued
by RDSO on Oct2001
.
1. The Chronology of development (in this regard is as follows):

Railway Board asked RDSO to p repare guidelines for underwater Insp ection of
Bridges vide 2001/C E-1/BE-III/9 dtd. 13th July 2001
BS40 issued by RDSO on Oct2001
U/W Insp . of Bridges : IRICEN: June2005
U/W Brid ge Insp ection M anual : Feb.2006, by RAMBOLL Denmark for Central
Rly .
BS 96 issued by RDSO on July2008

The Central Railway Under Water Brid ge Inspection M anual issued in

Feb.2006, and p rep ared by RAMBOLL Denmark has been fairly exhaustive based
on underwater inspection system adopted world over. This necessitated a need for
revision of RDSO guideline. As a result BS-96 was issued.
Aim of the p resent report is to critically discuss the p rovisions and omissions of
the BS 96, July 2008.
2. General Provisions of BS 96
Underwater Insp ection is to be done by suitable method for bridges normally
(p erennially) under water for that p ortion of bridge which is p erennially submerged.
It is a General Guidelin e: CBE can to modify /supp lement bridge sp ecific underwater
Inspection method.
Master list of inventory records for all such bridges (indiv idually ) to be
maintained with followin g Details:

Typ e/Location
Typ e & frequency of Insp ection
Member location (for insp ection)
Insp ection p rocedures
Sp ecial Equip ments Required

Dates of p revious insp ection

Findings of last (earlier insp ection)
Follow up insp ection of last Insp ection
Elevation of bottom of Foundation/Pile/well

3. Frequency & Level of Underwater Inspection:

In fact, BS-40 Suggested UWI to be conducted during Low water or during the
period of Low Pollution level or Good Visibility also 20% of Underwater units for each
Bridge selected Randomly should be insp ected so that entire structure is covered in 5
years.
BS-96 provides for UWI to be conducted Post M onsoon (Immediately after M onsoon). It
has been dealt in p ara 1.3 & 1.4 & 6.2 for type frequency and rep orting being dealt at two
places. BS 96 suggests 3 Types of UWI:(a)Routine Inspection: Level- I

-To be done once in a year

b) Detail Insp ection: Level II

-At least Once in 5 y rs for

even brid ges in sound Condition

c) Sp ecial Inspection: Level III:

-To be decided by Sectional Sr.DEN/DEN

4.0 S alient Features of Different Inspection Levels:

4.1 Routine Inspection: Level- I

Swim By Insp ection by Exp erienced Diver to detect obvious

damage for all submerged p arts

It is p redominantly a visual Insp ection

In case of low Visibility : Clear box is to be used or Feel inspection

by sweep ing motions of hands is to be done.

Sup p lemented by Water Depth Sounding of Piers/Abutment

Continuity Verification in full len gth

Sp allin g/ Corrosion /crack 0.2mm & larger and other d amages to be

registered.

4.1.1 Conditions warranting Level II Inspection

Inconclusive Level I Insp ection Rep ort

Critical Structure, damage to which shall have Detrimental Imp act on Structure
Unique structure Uncertain Structural p erformance
Prior evidence of distress
Adverse environmental condition i.e. brackish/p olluted water etc.

4.2 Detail Inspection: Level II

At least Once in 5 y rs for even bridges in sound condition.

Detailed Visual Insp ection
Elements as decided durin g Level I insp ection
Surface Insp ection & limited measurement of Damage, after surface
clean in g in 30 cm bands (for marine growth)
Extent & Severity of the Damage to be Recorded
If any Damage detected Sp ecial Investigation: Level III insp ection to be
done to be decided by Sectional Sr.DEN/DEN

4.2.1 Conditions warranting Level III Inspection

If Sectional SR DEN/DEN d ecid es for Level III insp ection on basis of Level II
under water insp ection rep ort
After unusual Floods
After Vessel imp act
If Debris built up near Pier/abutment
If Excessive settlement/ Scour
Evidence of Deterioration/ M ovement
After Sign ificant Earthquake

4.3 Special Inspection: Level III

Purp ose: To access Typ e, Extent Sev erity and Cause of damage, material
strength, material Homo geneity & hidden or interior damage must be detected.
Need for load restriction, closure of bridge, level of rep air of bridge necessary to
be assessed
NDT Methods or Partial Destructive Testing such as ULTRASONIC, SAM PLE
CORING, IN-SITU HARDNESS TESTING Etc.

4.3.1 UNDERWAT ER NDT INS PECTION INS TRUMENTS : as p er use

NDT Methods are to be as p er RDSO Guideline BS 42-2002
1. Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge
2. Ultrasonic Testing
3. Cover-meter:
4. Schmidt Hammer:
5. Chloride content:
6. Coring Equip ment:
7. Evaluation of Concrete cores:
8. Crack measuring Gau ge:
9. Imp ulse Resp onse Equip ment:
10. Imp act echo Equip ment:
11. Half Cell Potential:

-Steel
-Concrete and Steel
- Concrete
- Concrete & Masonry
-Concrete
- Concrete & Masonry
-Concrete
-Concrete & Masonry
-Concrete
- Concrete & masonry
-Concrete

5.0 Reporting of UWI

5.1

LEVEL I Inspection Reporting:

To be done in Sectional AENs Presence

Bridge wise report with remarks to be sent to CBE
Investigation Method & Extent
Back ground material, Water current, Visib ility & other Details
Recording of deficiency/damage warrantin g attention.
Condition rating of UW co mp onent
Need for further insp ection Level- II or III
Photo/Video record in g (Not mandatory )
-CBE to ascertain Requirement

N.B. Photographs/Video in electronic form will add to ap preciation of health &

Condition of UW structure & will be valuable as record to access rate of
damage/Chan ge in Hy draulic condition etc. in future (Not In BS 96)

5.2

LEVEL II Inspection Reporting:

To be done in Sectional AENs Presence

Bridge wise report with remarks to be sent to CBE
Method, Extent & Location of Damage
Back ground material, Water current, Visib ility & other Details
Recording of deficiency/damage warrantin g attention.
Condition rating of UW co mp onent
Whether Need for further inspection :Level- III
Photo/Video record in g

NB: 30 Cm Clear b and to be insp ected in

(i) Sp lash Zone ( Low waterline)
(ii) M ud line (River bed)
(iii) Construction joints/ M id way
(iv) Damaged areas N also Undamaged areas.
5.3 LEVEL III Inspection Reporting:

To be done in Sectional Sr DEN/DENs Presence

Bridge wise report with remarks to be sent to CBE for scrutiny
Method, Extent & Location of Damage & Deterioration
Back ground material, Water current, Visib ility & other Details
Recording of deficiency/damage warrantin g attention.
Cause of Damage
Recommendation for maintenance & Rep airs & p recautions
Condition rating assessment of UW comp onent
Whether Need for further inspection :Level- III
Photo/Video record in g

N.B:-Para 1.4.1, 1.4.2 deals with reporting of Lev el I & II insp ection and again
Para 6.2 deals with rep orting for all 3 levels of inspection and gives a common
format, which could h ave been avoid ed. Also followin g relevant detail for Lev el III
inspection have escap ed mention in BS 96 :

Reason for the level III insp ection

Back ground documents
Extent and Location of tests & Summary of the results
Evaluation of Damage registrations (i.e indication regardin g cause)
Risk analy sis of further deterioration & Precautions, Rep airs
General consid erations for future maintenance activities
(such as: further investigations, rep air works, etc).

6.0 What Damages to look for in Under Water Inspection:

1. Structural damage: Permanent Deformation, Tilt/settlement, Abnormal Vibration.
2. Damage due to water: Scour, Dep osition, Debris & Vegetation, Difference in
Level, Erosion, M aterial disintegration.
3. Damage on Concrete structure: Corrosion of concrete, wear/abrasion, Material
Deterioration, Imp act, Fracture, weatherin g, honey combin g, (sp alling of concrete,
exp osed Reinforcement etc. not mentioned in BS 96, however are common
phenomena on substructures under water)
4. Damage on Steel structure: Corrosion, Cracks, Loose connections/ Bolts/rivets,
eccentricity , Imp act, Fracture.
5. Damage on M asonry : Deteriorated stone/brick/jo ints, Cavities, Cracks, spalling,
unintended eccentricities, overlo ading, M oisture penetration, Imp act damage,
Fracture includin g reasons and remedy for them.

Some Photograp hs of Damage to Concrete Structure under water are shown below :

Scaling of con crete

Spallin g of con crete

Disintegration of concrete

Deep Cavitation

7.0 What BS 96 does not Mention :

Any sp ecific numerical rating sy stem on basis of UW insp ection or investigation

for submerged structures, Central Railway Under Water Bridge Inspection
Manual however p rovides the same.
Rust staining, spallin g, exp osure of reinforcing steel & disintegration in concrete
Bulge in sub structure & remedial measures
STEEL WORKS- sp ecific to
--CI PIPES
-- STEEL CAISSONS
-- Screw Piles Other Structural Steel Works

BS 96 mentions Location Chartin g for Insp ection but not Identification Chartin g
of damages or any Numerical Ratin g sy stem for it.

8.0 METHODS OF UNDER-WAT ER INSPECTION

1. SCUBADIVING -S ELF CONTAIN ED UNDERWAT ER BREATHING
APPRATUS : WORK PERIOD AT A TIM E: 20 M IN AT 20M DEPTH
2. SURFACE SUPPLIED AIR DIVING OR MIXED GAS DIVING
8.1 SCUBA DIVING

SCUBA Diver is p rovided with p ortable air sup p ly & is connected to surface
through an umbilical cable.
Min. equip ments are SCUBA, life preserver, weight belt, knife, face mask and
swim fins dep th gauge, wrist watch, wet suit ( t>10 c) or dry suit ( t<10 c)
SCUBA dive duration can b e more if mixed air is used.
SCUBA can be more effective if commun ication with surface en gineer is
available.

8.1.1 ADVANTAGES OF S CUBA DIVING

Boat may not be necessary.
It has low op erating cost and is low effort dive with increased mobility .
It is suitable for short duration and low velocity currents.
Rapid dep loy ment, p ortability , minimum sup p ort from above is its characteristics.
8.1.2 DIS ADVANTAGES OF S CUBA DIVING
Limited air supp ly
Communication with surface difficu lt
Depth limitation
M any dives of short duration are needed
8.2. S URFAC E S UPPLIED AIR DIVING OR MIXED GAS DIVING

Min. equip ment are life p reserver, weight belt, Knife, face mask and swim fins
dep th gauge, wet suit ( t>10 c) or dry suit ( t<10 c), communication cable, and
fathometer.

It is well suited to stream flow velocity upto 4 m/s,

It is suited to polluted water, long duration required

Dive time can be extended by

NITROX in shallow water
TRIM IX or HELIOX REQUIRED for diver deep er to 36 m.

8.2.1 ADVANTAGES OF S URFACE S UPPLIED AIR DIVING

It accords Long duration/ deep er dive than 36 m,
unlimited air supp ly ,
backup sy stem available,
safe line attachment to surface,
it is better for high velocity currents,
suitable for p olluted and turbid water,
communication for audio v ideo easy
* Pneumatic fathometer are attached to the diver
lon ger
duration/detailed
insp ection (60 minutes at 18m depth) rap id dep loy ment, p ortability , min. Sup p ort
(* Not in BS 96)
8.2.2 DIS ADVANTAGES OF S CUBA DIVING
It has large size of op eration
9.0 Under Water Method S election, Procedure, Equipment, Diver Qualification and
Safety aspect :
9.1 Factors influencing UWI method S election:
Water Dep th
Current Velocity
Under Water Visib ility
Substructure Configuration
Water bed Condition
Debris
Drift
9.2 UNDERWAT ER INS PECTION PROCEDURE:

Initial insp ection requires careful p lannin g.

Prior site survey for selection of insp ection methods, type and intensity level,
equip ment required.
Review of availab le records and p ast history .
Availability of tools and p lants.
Ability /qualification of div in g team.
Scour inv estigation.
Insp ection of sub structure.

9.3 Under water Photogra phy & Video Equipment:

i. Still Photograp hy Digital still camera of Minimum 5.0 Mega p ixel camera
At low Visibility Clear Boxes to be used
ii. Video p hotography Submersib le Camera connected to surface mon itor & control/
Telemetry linked, cap able taking images at zero LUX with LEDs on
iii. Under water lightin gTurbid water limits viewing by Absorption( reduces light
reaching Object & camera too),
Refraction( Causes Disp ersion) &
Reflection (swamp the object Light kep t away from the
axis of camera)
Tight beam sp ot ( beam angle < 10 D)
Under water Torches/ Strobe torch light
9.4 QUALIFIC ATION OF DIVERS and DIVING S UPERVIS ORS :

IS 10291-1982: Lay s down safegu ards for their workin g Safeguards for their
working:

Diving team to have at least 3 Divers.

Fitness of Diver must have been checked by doctor in last six months.
(fitness tested for work at required depth or equivalent p ressure in compression
chamber)
M ust have Knowledge of divin g sign als.
Trained for work in no visib ility conditions and 0.6m d ep th of mud and condu ct
search etc.
Certification by Navy /Indian Register of Sh ip p ing (IRS) is mandatory .
SCUBA Divers to be trained by SCUBA Diving PADI ( Professional Association of
Diving Instructors).
9.5 S afety Precaution: Working agency to follow its Diving Safety M anual with
followin g details:
-Checklist for Divin g op eration & Safety Procedures
-Assignment & resp onsibility of Dive Team members
- Equip ment, Procedures & Checklist
-Emergen cy Procedures for
-Equip ment failures
-Adverse Environmental Condition
-Divers Injury /illness
-Standard First Aid Kit
-For Big works- have 2 teams + A Doctor
-Before Dive Medical Examination Desirable

-Insurance cover
-Dive Sup ervisor to Ensure that all equip ment are in working Condition

10.0 REPAIR & T REAT MENT TECHN IQUES : ( Not in BS -96)

M INOR DEFECTS such as cracks app ly aqua resins for grouting by replacing
water
If Crack >6mm ap p ly sand with groutin g resins or use special groutin g
equip ments
10.1 SPALLING OF CONCRETE
Preparation of surface by water jet at high p ressure and app ly ing thick coat of ep oxy
resin on the p rep ared surface for bondin g of ep oxy mortar.
10.2 DETERIORATION OF CONCRETE IN PILES :

Jacketing by Shotcrete/ gunite lay er of app rox.. 75mm thickness.

Shotcrete rin g is p rep ared above low water level and lowered up to bottom.
Annular sp ace is subsequently grouted with mortar disp lacing water

10.3 REPAIR BY UNDERWATER CONCRETING

Tremie concrete
Bottom op ening skip box
Bagged concrete
Grout injection of p re-placed aggregate
Micro concreting by concrete mixed with anti-washable, anti-shrinkable (Fosroc)
chemical in 150mm layers. It has7 day crushing strength of 30 Mp a.
11.0 CONCLUS IONS:

Bs 96 provides the frame work and modus operandi for the under water inspection
of p erennially submerged brid ge substructure, some provisions have b een
rep eated while some left out but are available in given referen ces.

Underwater bridge inspection sp ecially on old bridges is necessary for increasing

the residual life of p erennially submerged brid ge foundations and avoid
catastrophic failures atimes and the significant underwater damages can be
rep aired before it is too late.