CLOSE OVERLAY

InTrans / Aug 14, 2018

Methods for assessing the field performance of stress-laminated timber bridges

A national program to improve wood utilization in bridge applications is currently being administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service. As a part of this program, the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), has developed a bridge monitoring program to determine the field performance of timber bridges. This paper presents an overview of the methods used by the FPL to assess the field performance of stresslaminated timber bridges. Included are discussions related to the equipment and procedures used to monitor the force in prestressing bars, moisture content in lumber laminations, vertical creep, and
behavior of the structure under static loading conditions.

TOP