Bridge Inspection Services in Texas | Certified Structural Engineers

EMA Engineers – Texas Bridge Inspection Experts

Bridge Inspections Texas and Louisiana ensure the structural safety and compliance of your Texas bridges with certified inspections by licensed structural engineers. At EMA Engineers, we specialize in thorough bridge inspections across Texas—from Houston to Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and El Paso—ensuring your infrastructure meets TxDOT, FHWA, and AASHTO standards.

? Texas Bridge Inspection Services by Certified Professionals

We provide full-service bridge inspection and evaluation services for:

Highway and interstate bridges

Pedestrian and footbridges

Railroad and freight bridges

Industrial and private bridges

Temporary modular construction bridges

All inspections are performed by NBIS-certified professionals and licensed Texas Professional Engineers (P.E.).

? What Is a Bridge Inspections?

A bridge inspection is a professional assessment of a bridge’s structural condition, safety, and functionality. We inspect all major components:

Concrete decks and girders

Steel beams, trusses, and bearings

Expansion joints and abutments

Foundations and piers (including underwater)

Evidence of cracks, rust, corrosion, or foundation settlement

? Bridge inspections are required every 24 months by the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) and TxDOT regulations to ensure public safety.

?️ Types of Bridge Inspections in Texas

Routine Bridge Inspections
✅ Scheduled every 2 years (or more frequently if required).
✅ Follows FHWA and TxDOT guidelines.

Emergency Bridge Inspections
⚠️ After natural disasters, vehicle impact, flood damage, or collapse risk.
⚠️ Available 24/7 across Texas.

Underwater Bridge Inspections
? Sonar, ROVs, and certified divers used to inspect submerged bridge components.

Fracture-Critical Member (FCM) Inspections
? Evaluation of steel or concrete members whose failure would collapse the structure.

Bridge Load Rating & Structural Analysis
? Calculations to determine the bridge’s safe load capacity using advanced modeling.

? How We Inspect Bridges in Texas

Our Texas inspection teams use cutting-edge tools and proven methods:

Drones/UAVs for remote and elevated access

3D modeling & BIM analysis

NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) equipment

Photographic and infrared documentation

Certified divers for underwater inspections

? All inspection reports are signed, sealed, and TxDOT compliant.

? Why Choose EMA Engineers for Texas Bridge Inspections?

?️ 30+ Years of Structural Engineering Experience

? Offices in Houston, Austin, El Paso, and San Antonio

? Drone-based, high-resolution visual inspections

⚠️ Emergency & disaster-response bridge evaluations

⚖️ Legal, insurance, and municipal documentation provided

✅ FHWA, TxDOT & AASHTO Standards Met

? Service Areas in Texas

We proudly serve cities across Texas, including:

Houston

Austin

Dallas–Fort Worth

San Antonio

Corpus Christi

? Schedule a Bridge Inspection in Texas

Protect your infrastructure. Stay compliant. Ensure public safety.

Call Now: ? 1-832-548-3972
Email: ? info@emaforensics.inf

? FAQ – Texas Bridge Inspections

Q: How often are bridges required to be inspected in Texas?
A: Most bridges in Texas must be inspected at least every 24 months per NBIS and TxDOT guidelines. Critical or aging structures may require more frequent inspections.

Q: Who can legally inspect bridges in Texas?
A: Only licensed Texas Professional Engineers (P.E.) and NBIS-certified inspectors are qualified to perform official bridge inspections.

Q: Do you offer post-hurricane or storm inspections in Texas?
A: Yes. We provide emergency bridge inspections across Texas following hurricanes, flash floods, or structural damage.

Q: What tools do you use for bridge evaluations?
A:    Drones for elevated and hard-to-reach areas

        Non-destructive testing (NDT) devices

        3D BIM and structural modeling

        ROVs and divers for underwater analysis

Q: Are your inspections TxDOT and FHWA compliant?
A: Yes. All inspections meet or exceed TxDOT, FHWA, AASHTO, OSHA, and ASCE/ACI standards.

? Industry Compliance

We follow strict guidelines for bridge inspection in Texas:

Tx DOT Structural Evaluation Protocols

FHWA NBIS Compliance

AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation

OSHA Safety Standards

ASCE and ACI Codes

Texas bridge inspection company

Certified bridge inspectors in Houston

Railroad bridge evaluations Texas

Emergency bridge inspections after floods

Fracture-critical bridge inspections Texas

Underwater bridge inspection firms Texas

Drone bridge inspections Dallas

Load rating bridge services in Austin

EMA Engineers – Trusted Bridge Inspection Experts in Texas
? 1-832-548-3972| ? info@emaengineers.com
➡️ Contact Us

Bridge Inspections Texas

The bridge inspection Texas process starts with the bridge inspectors reviewing the previous bridge inspection report and planning the inspection. The inspectors identify areas where defects were found in previous inspections. This allows them to determine if the defects previously identified have been repaired or have increased in size and severity. The inspectors coordinate traffic control and access equipment.

When the bridge inspections Texas inspectors arrive at the bridge site they perform the bridge inspection from a distance. Some major problems may be indicated if the profile of the bridge is not smooth; in other words, the bridge will not look right to the experienced bridge inspector. The inspectors will then concentrate on discovering the cause and determining the extent of the problem. Depending on the exact nature of the problem, emergency repair or immediate closure of the bridge may be required.

The inspectors use a systematic method to inspect the bridge, to ensure that the entire bridge is inspected. The exact order of the inspection will vary depending on the type of bridge being inspected.

Procedure of Bridge Inspections Texas

The deck is the riding surface for traffic. The deck surface and roadway, barrier, or parapet are looked at for potholes, cracking, excessive wear, and sound for hollow areas. The deck joints are looked at for evidence of seepage, loose armor angles and if the deck joints are properly functioning to allow expansion and contraction as temperature changes.

The superstructure supports the deck and generally consists of beams or girders that may be constructed of timber, concrete, or, steel, and the bearings that connect the superstructure to the substructure. The inspectors pay close attention to areas of high stress and those prone to deterioration, but the entire superstructure is inspected.

Timber members are inspected for wood rot, crushing, splitting, and cracking. Concrete members are inspected for cracking, spalling and hollow areas. (Spalling is where a portion of the concrete has fallen away leaving a hole in the concrete.) Steel members are inspected for paint peeling, corrosion, and cracking. The bearings serve to transmit loads from the superstructure to the substructure and allow the movement of the bridge that occur due to temperature changes.

Bridge Inspections Texas Procedures

The bearings during a bridge inspection are inspected for excessive deformation and evidence that they are functioning properly allowing the movements of the bridge due to temperature change. The substructure supports the superstructure and transmits loads from the superstructure to the ground. The substructure generally consists of pier caps, columns, and, piles. The substructure may be constructed of timber, concrete, or steel. Timber members are inspected for wood rot, crushing, splitting, and cracking. Concrete members are inspected for cracking, spalling and hollow areas during a bridge inspection. Steel members are inspected for paint peeling, corrosion, and cracking. In addition, the substructure is inspected for evidence of settlement or scour. Settlement is an element of the substructure that moves downward due to soil conditions. Scour is the undermining of a structure due to water flow removing soil that supports the structure.

Actions during Inspection

The bridge inspectors’ actions will vary depending on their bridge inspection findings. The inspectors will recommend immediate closure or emergency repair of the bridge after the bridge inspection if a critical condition is found that endangers the public. The inspectors will recommend a repair be performed quickly when a situation exists that if not addressed may lead to a condition that could endanger the public. The inspectors will recommend routine repairs or maintenance to correct defects that if not repaired could increase in size and severity and shorten the service life of the bridge.