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What is in your structural inspection bag?

What is in your structural inspection bag?

What is in your structural inspection bag?

(OP)
Fairly new structural engineer here.  I'm looking to fill a grab bag with all of the necessary tools needed for a structural inspection of an existing structure.  Currently my list is:

100 foot tape
25 foot tape
calipers
hammer & nails
string
4 foot level
hardhat
shovel
good flashlight
headlamp
protractor
clipboard
knife
 

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

camera, binoculars, crayons, eye protection, high visibility jacket

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

pocket card to measure crack widths, marble

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

spare batteries for digital camera & flashlight, extra writing utensil

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

In addition to the above items, I use a pocket microscope to view cracks and it measures in 0.1 mm.  I also have zip lock bags, alcohol swabs, a compass (for north), scalpel blades, jewellers screwdrivers, tweezers, fluorescent tape, concrete temperature thermometer, notebook, gloves and a voice recorder.

This is supplemented by two temperature data loggers, an infrared temperature device, a hilti laser measuring device, a hilti laser level, an incremental borer, and a 5 second theodolite.

Dik

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

Make sure you have pencils to take notes - if your notepad gets wet in the rain then pens will often not work but pencils always do (this is particularly important in the UK.)

A compass is sometimes useful when you dont have existing drawings and you want to be able to refer to the north wall e.t.c.

But usually all I have are helmet boots, drawings tapemeasure and notepad this covers 90% of visits.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

Icepick for probing old timber, respirator if you are crawling around in attics with pigeons.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

steel tip boots with a one inch heel, masonry hammer, eye protection, old raingear, chain drag...

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

sforesman,

F250 to haul all this stuff in.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

Handheld Ultrasonic Range Finder ($25+ US) or Handheld Laser Range Finder ($100+ US).  Very handy to get both horizontal and overhead approximate distance measurements by yourself.

Ultrasonic type is ok for short distance measurements to large flat surfaces (walls, ceilings, etc.).

Laser type is more versatile, accurate and better for longer distances (say 25+ ft)

www.SlideRuleEra.net idea

www.VacuumTubeEra.net r2d2

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

A set of spark plug gap and feeler gauge blades for measuring cracks and gaps.  The wire type of gauges is also useful for jagged cracks where a wide blade won't fit.  They're each about $5 in the automotive department.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

A density based rebar locator, And a semi to haul all this stuff around in...

Plus a copy of your errors and omissions liability insurance policy.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

A paint brush to sweep away debris before you take a picture of the crack (etc.) caliper or crack gauge measurement device.  A good digital camera is essential.  I carry a plump bob and a 4' level where ever I go as well.  A grid pad. Fall Arrest Safety harness.  Lots of good suggestions above.  I love taking things apart so have a bunch of demo tools.  Oh yes I have an 8" nail puller that 'rings' on sound concrete, took a while to find it.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

Haha msquared48,
just read your post re., E&O.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

Hi sforesman

How about taking a camera

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

csd72 (Structural) 11 Jul 08 17:32  
Make sure you have pencils to take notes - if your notepad gets wet in the rain then pens will often not work but pencils always do (this is particularly important in the UK.)


To further this point I often take along surveying field books, as they are designed to be written on in wet weather.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?


In addition to some of the above;

Disposable Tyvek overalls
Piece of carpet to kneel on
Sharpened roofing punch to probe for decayed timber
JSA (job safety analysis document)
phone
3m (10') tape (easy to carry in pocket and large enough for most measurements)

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

I also have:

Weld gauge for measuring weld sizes
Magnetic mounting plumb line
Optical theodolite
5m Leveling staff

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

6 foot folding rule, awl.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

Wow, you guys carry a lot of crap...er stuff around with you.  Do you bring an intern with you to carry it all around the job site?

As a structural engineer, other than a tape measure and a crack card (clear credit card with crack widths marked), I have never needed any specific tools for all the routine structural inspections I have done over the last 15 years.  I am not referring to material testing or bolt tightness inspections (where I might need feeler gages if using load indicating washers).  I am talking about going on site to inspect the contractor's work to see that it is in general conformance with my design.  I also do a fair bit of Threshold Inspection work here in Florida.  But even that doesn't need more than a tape measure, as the testing agency will be doing all the complicated testing (concrete sampling, weld inspections, etc).

A notepad and a camera are the two most important tools I carry with me for all inspections.  And try to have some indication of scale in all of your photos, particularly of small items like cracks or voids in concrete.  A pen or business card is great for showing scale of small items.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

It seems a lot to me too, if it requires this much work then I would arrange for a builder to meet me on site with the required equipment. Usually it doesnt though, a tape measure and a camera is generally enough.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

I think we are getting alot of differing equipment because of the different roles and type of work we perform.

Beyond a sharp pencil, notepad, camera, tapes, 6 foot rule, caliper, lumber chalk, string, plumb bob, small screwdriver, chipping hammer and safety gear, I cannot think of much else that I would need. Anything beyond that I would hire a contractor and/or testing consultant.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

To extend jike's post, I brought along a harness and line for bridge inspections.  It certainly depends on what you're doing.

An aside on gear bags - in July 2001 I flew out to California to do a bridge inspection.  On the way back, my bag had my harness, an 18" long screw driver (high-tech wood pile tester), a large MagLite flash light (the 4 D-cell size), and a sliver of rail that I picked up from the bridge (to use as a paperweight), among other things.  I carried this bag on the plane and the only thing I was questioned about was the piece of rail.  I told them it was a conversation piece for my office and they waved me through security.  Naturally, when I went back in November of 2001, I checked that bag - times have really changed...



If you "heard" it on the internet, it's guilty until proven innocent. - DCS

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?


A Manual Concrete Rebound Test Hammer can be used if you are concerned with non-destructive testing of hardened concrete for it's compressive strength.  However, there are some pros and cons to it.    

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

Last thing you do before leaving the office is empty the blasted bag.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

Empty the bag...yeah.  Even before 9/11 I got in trouble at security because someone had handed me a rebar sample on a previous trip and it was still in my bag on the next trip.  (Not to mention that I'd been dragging around a couple of extra pounds of steel for no good reason.)

Hg

Eng-Tips policies:  FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

Two things in my bag that might not be in yours:

A small piece of mirror to reflect sunlight down a drilled pier hole.  Works way better than a flashlight.

Plunge cut type of sheetrock saw.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

Oh and one of those startrek communication devices to get beamed out of danger when you tell them that they have to redo the whole floor.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

Another use for a mirror...
From my days as a coatings (bridge painting) inspector...an extendable mirror to see thoses inacessable areas.
Also don't forget your hardhat and other safety gear.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

csd, or a fazer maybe?

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

Camera, Hardhat, Flashlight, Hammer w/pick, Level, and Tape Measure, Notepad, 2 Pens & 1 Pencil.

That is all I ever take on 99.9% of inspections

 

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

crack monitor and quick set epoxy

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

you epoxy things on y our inspection?  what type of crack monitor do you use.

RE: What is in your structural inspection bag?

business cards  :)

Cell phone with camera, so I can send a pic to my boss so he will understand what I am talking about.

 

Never, but never question engineer's judgement

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