At Simtec, we deliver detailed Bridge and Infrastructure Surveys to support the inspection, assessment, and ongoing management of the UK's critical assets.
Our engineers and technicians carry out targeted investigations to help clients understand structural condition, identify defects, and plan maintenance or refurbishment works with confidence.
Bridge Inspection & Investigation Services
Simtec offers a comprehensive range of bridge inspection and investigation services, combining non-destructive, intrusive, and specialist testing methods.
Our surveys are designed to assess structural integrity, material condition, and performance tailored to the specific requirements of each asset.
Our bridge and infrastructure investigation services include:
- Non-destructive concrete condition assessments including half-cell potential, cover depth, resistivity, and carbonation depth (In accordance with CS464 and CS462)
- Reinforcement detection and scanning using Ferro scan and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
- Portable and trailer-mounted core sampling of waterproofing, concrete, masonry, and bridge elements
- 2D and 3D Visual inspections and defect mapping of structural elements
- Post-tensioned investigation (in accordance with CS465) and pre-stressed structure investigations
- Specification development and works brief support
- Ultrasonic thickness measurement, paint inspection and weld testing
- Chemical attack and fire damage surveys, petrographical core examination
- Sampling of concrete, masonry, steel, paint protective treatment coatings, timber, asbestos, and other materials
- Half-joint special inspections
- Rebound hammer testing
- Pull-off and pull-out testing
- Crack surveys, measurement and long-term monitoring
- Deck waterproofing bond strength testing
- Topographical and GPR surveys
- Ultrasonic pulse and echo tomography for void and defect identification
- Confined space inspections, MEWP access, pontoons, mobile scaffolding, and rope access
Infrastructure Survey Expertise
Simtec works closely with contractors, consultants, asset owners, and public sector bodies to deliver technically robust bridge and infrastructure investigations.
Our teams are equipped to undertake complex and challenging surveys across a wide range of environments, providing clear factual findings supported by expert interpretation and reporting.
We investigate individual elements as well as complete structures, helping clients manage risk, prioritise repairs, and extend the service life of assets.
In addition to bridge and infrastructure surveys, Simtec also provides:
- Pavement Core Sampling and % CBR value Dynamic Cone Penetration testing
- Coal tar testing to identify hazardous PAHs in sampled road materials
- Highways S278 design submission, Section 184 application support
- Building Fabric Surveys and Structural Assessments
- Load bearing capacity testing of ground and basement concrete floor slab
- Assurance & Compliance Testing
All investigative work is supported by material testing and analysis conducted in our in-house laboratory facilities, ensuring reliable, consistent data to inform engineering decisions.
Working in Challenging Environments
Simtec's teams are trained and experienced in operating safely within demanding locations and restricted-access environments.
This includes live highways, rail corridors, sea defences, working at height, over-water, confined spaces, and complex bridge structures, where specialist access and careful planning are essential.
Our flexible approach allows surveys to be completed efficiently while maintaining safety, quality, and minimal disruption.
Why Choose Simtec for Bridge and Infrastructure Surveys?
At Simtec, we take a collaborative and solution-focused approach to bridge and infrastructure investigations.
By engaging with clients early, we develop bespoke survey strategies that align with technical objectives, site constraints, and programme requirements.
Our services help clients to:
- Understand asset condition and structural performance
- Identify defects and deterioration mechanisms
- Reduce risk and support compliance
- Plan targeted maintenance and refurbishment works
- Extend the operational life of critical infrastructure
Bridge and Infrastructure Surveys FAQs
What does a bridge and infrastructure survey typically involve?
Assessment of structural condition and safety, identifying defects, deterioration, or damage. Helps determine maintenance, repair, or strengthening needs that may include a non-close-up or no intrusive inspection “General Inspection” usually from ground level or walkover and involves visual inspection of all accessible elements for Identification of obvious defects (cracks, corrosion, spalling). Condition grading (often 1–5 or A–E scale).
Or a close hands-on inspection within touching distance “Principal Inspection” (PI) to detail a record of defects and measurements, photographic evidence, assessment of bearings, joints, drainage, waterproofing, Hammer tapping, basic non-destructive testing (NDT) ensures compliance with UK regulations and asset management plans, supports load capacity, life expectancy, or risk assessments.
When is a detailed or specialist bridge investigation required instead of a visual inspection?
The need for a Special / Detailed Inspection is triggered by: Impact damage, Flooding or scour, Fire, fatigue concerns, or abnormal loading and can involve Targeted inspection of affected elements, Structural assessment or calculations, using specialist testing (e.g. ultrasonic testing, corrosion mapping).
What access methods are used to inspect difficult or restricted areas of a structure?
MEWPs, underbridge units, pontoons, scaffolding, confined space or rope access.
What types of defects can bridge, and infrastructure surveys identify?
UK bridge and infrastructure surveys are designed to identify a wide range of structural, material and operational defects. Typical defect types include Structural defects, issues affecting load-carrying capacity or stability, Cracking (flexural, shear, fatigue, thermal), Spalling and delamination of concrete, Deformation, sagging, or excessive deflection, and Section loss in steel members. Buckling or distortion of beams, girders, or trusses, bearing failure or seizure, Joint failure or misalignment.
Material Deterioration, degradation of construction materials over time: Corrosion of steel reinforcement or steelwork, Concrete carbonation, Chloride ingress (especially from de-icing salts), Freeze–thaw damage, Alkali–silica reaction (ASR), Timber decay (rot, insect attack), Masonry erosion or mortar loss.
Water and drainage-related defects: Often a root cause of other failures, blocked or damaged drainage systems, water ingress or leakage, standing water on decks, Damp staining or efflorescence, Inadequate waterproofing membranes.
Highway and Deck Defects, surface and traffic-related issues: Potholes or surface cracking, rutting or uneven surfacing, debonding of waterproofing layers, skid resistance deterioration
Environmental and External Damage, damage from external forces: Vehicle or vessel impact damage, fire damage, flood damage, vegetation growth affecting structure, vandalism or accidental damage
How are survey findings reported and used to support maintenance or repair decisions?
In the UK, findings from special bridge inspections that use non-destructive testing (NDT) and destructive testing (DT) are reported in a structured way, enabling clear traceability from evidence → engineering assessment → maintenance or repair decisions. The process is largely governed by National Highways and local authority standards. Findings are normally reported in a stand-alone Special Inspection Report, aligned with: DMRB CS 450 – Inspection of highway structures (replaced BD 63), Network owner requirements (e.g. National Highways, TfL, local authorities)
Typical contents: Scope and objectives, why the inspection was commissioned, Risks being investigated (e.g. corrosion, fatigue, shear cracking), Bridge description, form, materials, age, previous interventions, reference to past inspection and assessment records
Methods used
- NDT methods (e.g. cover meter, half-cell, GPR, UT, rebound hammer)
- DT methods (e.g. concrete cores, steel samples), locations tested, standards followed, limitations, results, raw data (tables, plots, photographs)
- Laboratory test results (for DT)
- Comparison against acceptance criteria or design assumptions, interpretation, engineering interpretation of what results mean structurally, identification of defects, deterioration mechanisms and extent, confidence levels and uncertainties
Conclusions
Severity of deterioration, Implications for durability, safety and serviceability, recommendations, further monitoring, Assessment requirements, Maintenance, repair or strengthening options, timescales and urgency
NDT findings are used/Typical NDT outputs: Extent mapping (e.g. chloride contamination, voids, delamination) Condition indicators (corrosion probability, concrete quality trends) Rate of deterioration (where historical data exists)
NDT findings are used to: Refine defect severity scores in the asset management system
Identify localised vs widespread problems, decide whether DT or structural assessment is required, justify do-minimum vs intervention strategies
Example: Half-cell results show active corrosion only in splash zones → targeted patch repair rather than full deck replacement.
Typical DT outputs: Concrete compressive strength, Chloride content vs depth, Carbonation depth, Steel material properties
Decision support role, DT results are used to: Validate or update design assumptions used in assessment, Support load capacity reassessment (e.g. to CS 454 / assessment standards) confirm remaining service life, specify repair materials and methods
Example: Core tests show strength significantly lower than assumed → structural reassessment triggers strengthening or load restriction, link to maintenance and repair decisions, condition indicator, risk scores, intervention priority
Get in Touch
To discuss your Bridge and Infrastructure Survey requirements, contact the Simtec team today. Our specialists will be happy to advise on the survey scope, access requirements, and provide a tailored quotation.