PCS has provided full service underwater bridge inspections for Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 1987 and has a history of providing a successful in-house diving operation that is streamlined and efficient. Utilizing an engineering firm with in-house diving has several advantages in assuring the overall success of a contract such as streamlining coordination, improving inspection efficiency, and allowing for instant response. All our divers are trained in NBIS bridge inspections and are Certified Bridge Safety Inspectors.
Our underwater inspection staff and equipment are tailored specifically for underwater bridge inspection. The divers include PE Divers, ADC Certified Dive Supervisors, and experienced CBSI Commercial Divers. The PCS divers are unequaled in their experience and knowledge of the underwater portions of Pennsylvania and New Jersey bridges. For bridges with low freeboard, the superstructure is inspected by a diver who is also an experienced Bridge Inspection Team Leader. The PCS field teams utilize laptop computers with wireless broadband internet access allowing information on serious structural deficiencies to be instantly relayed to the client. In addition, field teams can instantly retrieve documents for review, allowing them to make immediate critical decisions. We have a variety of systems ranging from deep diving surface supplied diving systems, to commercial SCUBA with wireless communications.
Special attention is given by the divers to determine the uniformity of bearing-of-footings and surrounding foundation materials and the lateral stability and soil support to the pile foundations, the effect or potential effect of scour, and the soundness or effectiveness of any previous repairs. The streambed around the substructure unit is evaluated as to type of material, evidence of scour, condition of existing scour protection, and debris.
To supplement diving operations, PCS can utilize our high-resolution Sonar Imaging System to enhance our performance of the underwater inspection. The high-resolution scanning sonar produces remarkable images with exceptional detail in zero visibility water. These photographic quality images provide excellent detail, such as pier configuration, exposed footings and sheet piling, debris accumulations, streambed location, undermining, and scour holes. This imaging system improves inspection efficiency and safety, and these types of images can be taken during floods when the use of divers is not feasible.