Bridge Design and Inspection

Vehicle Bridges

With more than two decades of bridge design experience, our engineers have worked on a wide variety of bridge projects throughout the years. Whether you are looking for a pre-fabricated steel bridge, simple log or timber bridge, or site-specific steel and concrete bridge, we can get you there. We have experience with all types of bridge materials, including cast-in-place concrete, precast/prestressed concrete, steel, wood, and masonry. We have also designed a wide variety of foundation types, including spread footings, driven steel and concrete piles, drilled shafts, micro piles, and helical piers.

Our bridge design services include the complete project life cycle from conceptual design through construction and include the design of new bridges as well as repairs and retrofits to existing bridges.

Pedestrian bridges and boardwalks

Pedestrian bridges come in a wide range of styles depending on their purpose. Sometimes a simple, low-cost bridge is all that’s needed. Other times a pedestrian bridge may be the central feature in a park or landscape setting. In addition to the design of the structural components, we have experience working with owners and architects to develop aesthetically pleasing pedestrian bridges through the selection of form, lines, and cladding. No matter what type of bridge you are looking for, QRS Consulting has you covered.

On the surface boardwalks and viewing platforms are relatively simple structures, but routine design decisions can have significant cost and maintenance impacts. When designing a boardwalk or viewing platform it is important to consider accessibility requirements, whether natural wood surfacing or non-slip surfacing is required, and whether railings are required. We have the experience you need for your next pedestrian bridge project. 

Bridge inspection

Most bridges are designed to last for decades, and with basic maintenance can last 50 years or more. To maximize the longevity of your bridge, regular inspections are essential to identify potential safety or maintenance concerns before they become a problem. We offer the following bridge inspection services:

• Routine Visual Inspections
• Damage Inspections
• Maintenance and Repair Recommendations

We use a variety of visual and non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques to identify problems. Following the inspection, we provide a complete inspection summary, including photos and any maintenance and repair recommendations, to help you maximize the life of your investment.

Click here to find out how to put our vast bridge inspection experience to work for you »

Bridge load rating

Bridge Load Rating is the process used to evaluate a bridge’s ability to carry vehicle and pedestrian loads. Bridge Load Rating considers the age, condition, and configuration of the bridge and how that affects the bridge’s capacity. A bridge’s Load Rating can be expressed as an Inventory Rating, which is the load that a bridge can carry for an indefinite period, or as an Operating Rating, which is the maximum permissible live load that can be placed on the bridge (FHWA, Manual for Bridge Evaluation).

Bridge Load Rating techniques can also be used to evaluate overweight vehicles or heavy loads, including construction loads, unique vehicles such as fish trucks, and other unusual loading conditions. Let us help you evaluate your next bridge project.