David Graff Completes NHI Bridge Inspection Certification

April, 2020

David Graff, P.E. in our Colorado office has been NHI-certified as a Bridge Inspection Program Manager and Team Leader. David will be supported by a team of 15 structural engineers and inspectors to enhance Otak’s abilities to tackle structural design, engineering, and ongoing bridge safety and maintenance challenges. David and his team can provide initial and routine inspections, maintenance recommendations, load ratings, and repair design services to our clients.  

A structural engineer with eight years of experience, David said his bridge inspector training proved to be a vital resource in his understanding of how to properly look for problems that are not always obvious. In addition, he commented, “Since I’m also a bridge design engineer, seeing how these structures age and common problems that occur makes me a better engineer by allowing me to avoid these pitfalls in my designs.” 

Otak believes that initial and routine inspections are crucial to ensuring the longevity of bridges, from small pedestrian to major river crossings. Proactively finding and addressing small issues, can prevent major problems in the future.

Otak’s inspectors don’t just photograph and document, they conduct physical testing on the bridge deck, superstructures, substructures, bearings, approach slabs, railings, and channels for bridges over waterways. If problems are identified, our engineers make repair and routine maintenance recommendations, and conduct follow-up inspections to track the bridge performance. These actions are a vital part of keeping bridges safe and functional for years to come. 

As for David, who admits he really just likes bridges, he is looking forward to climbing around and putting his hands on them and building an understanding of what makes each bridge unique.