44 BRIDGES AND CULVERTS. 



23. Note condition of sides and roof of covered bridges or of 

 ,ehord and end post covering. 



24. Notice particularly the connections between stringers 

 and floor beams; see that connecting angles are not split, either 

 in the angle or through in the line of the rivet holes. For 

 wooden stringers, note condition as to soundness of 

 bearings. 



25. Notice particularly the connections between floor beams 

 and trusses for evidence of imperfect bearing, or splitting of 

 connecting angles. If suspended, notice if they are up tight 

 against the post feet, or free to move. 



26. Test equality of tension in tie bars by springing them. 

 Look for any signs of distortion or crookedness in bars of end 

 panels of bottom chords. Howe truss rods, counter lateral and 

 vibration rods must never be allowed to hang loose. They 

 must not be adjusted while a load is on the bridge. They 

 should be tightened enough to give close and even bearings, 

 but must not be overstrained, as unnecessary strains are put 

 on compression members if too much power is used in adjust- 

 ing tension members. See that the center line of all tension 

 members is the same as the line of strain. 



27. Examine carefully, especially at the joints. 



28. See if posts, lateral struts and top chords are straight 

 and free from twists. On wooden bridges, see if braces are up 

 in place, taking a square bearing at ends, and note if any 

 warping is evident. Note their condition as to soundness. 



29. Examine all lateral connections, and see that lateral ten- 

 sion members are straight Examine bracing in iron trestles. 



30. Make particular examination of all hangers, testing each 

 nut to see that it is tight A streak of white paint down across 

 nut and bearing will indicate any movement These nuts 

 should be screwed up tight and secured by burring the thread 

 of bolt and nut at two or three points with a center punch 

 or cape chisel. 



31. Note any pins which indicate the movement of any of 

 the members coupling on them, or that have loose nuts. All 

 pins and nuts should have a streak of white paint across nut 

 and pin end. 



32. All field driven rivets in floor beams and stringer con- 



