InTrans / Aug 14, 2018
Performance of Portable T-Section Glulam Timber Bridges
This paper describes the design and initial testing of two portable timber bridges, each consisting of two noninterconnected longitudinal glued-laminated timber (glulam) deck panels 1.8 m (6 ft) wide. One bridge is 12.2 m (40 ft) long while the other bridge is 10.7 m (35 ft) long. The deck panels are fabricated in a unique double-tee cross section. The bridges exhibited linear elastic behavior and actual bridge panel stiffnesses were 92% and 89% of predicted values for the 12.2-m (40-ft) and 10.7-m (35-ft) bridges, respectively. The complete bridge systems appear to be cost effective with superstructure costs of $381/m 2 ($35/ft2) for the 12.2-m (40-ft) bridge and $359/m2 ($33/ft2) for the 10.7-m (35-ft) bridge. If the bridges are reused and installed at ten different sites, the estimated costs per site are $2,760 and $2,578 for the 12.2-m (40-ft) and 10.7-m (35-ft) bridges, respectively.