Silent Inspector for Hydraulic Pipeline Dredges

ERDC TN-DOER-I4

August 2000

Silent Inspector for

Hydraulic Pipeline Dredges

PURPOSE: This technical note (TN) describes the Silent Inspector (SI) for Hydraulic Pipeline

Dredges (HPD) and documents field experiences of the work unit. The SI work unit of the Dredging

Operations and Environmental Research (DOER) Program was established to develop standards,

specifications, and software for a standardized, automated dredging contract monitoring system.

The purpose of this TN is to document the ongoing development of the HPDSI (Hydraulic Pipeline

Dredge Silent Inspector).

BACKGROUND: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers DOER Program is developing the standards

and specifications of the HPDSI. The impetus for system development comes from a) the Corps'

changing emphasis from that of a dredge owner to contract administrator, b) the need to document

and ensure contractor compliance with the increasing number of State and Federal environmental

regulations and permitting criteria, c) inspector manpower restrictions, and d) the availability of

electronic sensors and low-cost computing and data storage capabilities that permit the development

of such a system.

A previous TN (TN DOER-I1, July 1999) described how several Corps Districts are monitoring

contractor pipeline dredges. Each District specifies how HPD operating parameters are to be

documented. However, differences exist between their data collection efforts that do not allow the

Corps, as a whole, to realize the maximum benefits it could otherwise. For instance, for the larger

contractors that dredge for several different Districts, any monitoring disparity means increased

costs to meet or change the monitoring requirements, which in turn translates into higher costs per

cubic yard of material dredged.

The SI work unit of the DOER Program was established to develop standardized, automated

monitoring systems for dredging activities Corps-wide. A previous work unit developed specifi-

cations and analysis software for a standard monitoring system for hopper dredges. The system

provides information that assists Corps personnel in planning, estimating, contract quality assurance

and contract dispute settlement. The system also makes dredge operation records more accessible,

understandable, and usable Corps-wide for planning, estimating, and managing. This TN summa-

rizes progress on the HPDSI system and documents some Corps experience during the first

implementation.

FUNCTIONS OF THE CORPS INSPECTOR ON HYDRAULIC PIPELINE DREDGES:

The Corps inspector is the onsite agent responsible for ensuring the contractor's compliance with

engineering plans and specifications for construction and maintenance dredging. Depending on

grade level, the inspector has varying degrees of limited authority. This authority includes stopping

the work for situations posing a direct threat of injury to life or property and making necessary

interpretations of plans, specifications, change orders, and other contract modifications.