VRX led two teams of inspectors responsible for routine and fracture-critical bridge inspections per TxDOT and FHWA criteria.
Among the structures that VRX was responsible for was the Skylink system, an automated people mover (APM) with 64 trains on an elevated railway that extends 4.8 miles in a bi-directional loop. Skylink connects all terminals at DFW International Airport.
Our services included performing site visits, collecting data and providing analysis. We performed fracture-critical inspections of parallel steel box girder structures as well as parallel I-girder bent caps, among other items. Fracture-critical members were closely inspected, with special attention paid to the tension zones, connections, and weld details. Suspected cracks were tested with dye penetrant. We evaluated the overall structural conditions, recommended repairs, and developed a maintenance schedule.
VRX also performed routine inspections on all concrete elements of 38 fracture-critical bridges. Areas of concrete structures requiring special attention include the bearing corners of inverted T caps and the bearing corners of concrete box girders. In addition, VRX provided in-service condition inspections for bridge, roadway, and taxiway structures located at DFW International Airport in accordance with National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) requirements.