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Underwater inspection of bridge piers

Piers permanently below the waterline must be inspected together with the river bed under the bridge. Floods, current and ice make diver inspection risky and costly - the vehicle circles the pier and delivers video tied to depth.

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Regulatory basis

Order 199 of the Russian Ministry of Transport (30.05.2023) requires that bridge piers permanently below the waterline be inspected at least once every 10 years, together with the river bed under the bridge. Extraordinary inspections follow accidents, fires and natural disasters. Inspection rules are set by SP 79.13330.2012.

Documents
  • Ministry of Transport Order 199 (30.05.2023)
  • SP 79.13330.2012 - bridge inspection rules
Assets

What PROMETEY inspects

Piers, piles and fairings
Grillages and joints
Anti-corrosion coating on steel elements
River bed under the bridge, scour and washouts
Bank cones and revetments
Foreign objects near piers
Honest about the limits

During floods and in current a diver descent to a pier is dangerous, and in winter it requires cutting holes in the ice. The vehicle is lowered from the bridge or a boat, circles the pier and records continuous video - with no dives and no traffic stoppage.

Questions

How often must underwater pier parts be inspected?

At least once every 10 years for piers permanently below the waterline. Extraordinary inspections follow accidents and natural disasters, or the owner's decision.

Can you work during a flood?

Yes, and this is a key advantage. We inspected railway bridge piers during the flood season without divers - the vehicle works where sending a person down would be an unjustified risk.

What does the bridge owner get?

A video archive for each pier, a defect map tied to depth and section, an assessment of bed scour and a report for repair documentation.