U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology
Coordinating, Developing, and Delivering Highway Transportation Innovations
| Project Information | ||
| Project ID: | FHWA-PROJ-08-0026 | |
| Project Name: | Wood Species Identification and Field Grading | |
| Project Status: | Completed | |
| Start Date: | September 8, 2008 | |
| End Date: | September 30, 2014 | |
| Contact Information | ||
| Last Name: | Duwadi | |
| First Name: | Sheila R | |
| Telephone: | 202-493-3106 | |
| E-mail: | sheila.duwadi@dot.gov | |
| Office: | Office of Infrastructure Research and Development | |
| Team: | Hazard Mitigation Team [HRDI-50] | |
| Program: | National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program | |
| Project detail | ||
| Roadmap/Focus area(s): | Historic Preservation | |
| Project Description: | The strength of the timber found in covered bridges can vary considerably, not only because of age and condition, but also because of species and grade. For evaluation purposes, it is necessary that the design values for existing wood members be determined with as much accuracy as possible. The current practice is to assign wood values for strength and moduli from existing specifications, but oftentimes these values are inaccurate for the specific condition and can result is an unreliable assessment of the structure. This could be hazardous where the type, source, and grade of the existing wood are uncertain. This study will develop methodologies for species identification and approximated field grading of timbers. | |
| Goals: | The objective is to develop methodologies for easier identification and design value estimation in grading of wood species onsite. | |
| Product Type: | Draft standard, specifications, or guidelines Research report Techbrief Technical report | |
| Test Methodology: | The study will consider techniques for taking samples as well as identifying and estimating the grade of the wood. | |
| Other Information: | Funding is $55,000 from the Federal Highway Administration and $17,000 from the Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. | |
| Expected Benefits: | Resource for bridge engineers to use in design and rating of bridges. | |
| Deliverables: | Name: Species Identification and Design Value Estimation of Wooden Members in Covered Bridges. Product Type(s): Research report, Techbrief, Draft standard, specifications, or guidelines, Technical report Description: The product will be a guidance document that can be used by bridge engineers. | |
| FHWA Topics: | Roads and Bridges--Structures | |
| TRT Terms: | Timber Wooden Bridges Infrastructure Bridges Research Covered Bridges |
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| FHWA Disciplines: | Structures |
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| Subject Areas: | Bridges and other structures Materials |
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