PMSS Project Details

Project ID:	FHWA-PROJ-08-0026
Project Name:	Wood Species Identification and Field Grading
Status:	Active
Contact:	Last Name: Duwadi First Name: Sheila R Telephone: 202-493-3106 E-mail: sheila.duwadi@dot.gov
Organization:	Federal Highway Administration - Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)
Office:	Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Team:	Hazard Mitigation Team
Roadmap/Focus area(s):	Historic Preservation Infrastructure Research and Technology Strategic Plan and Roadmap
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.
Laboratories:	Not Applicable
Start Date:	September 8, 2008
End Date:	September 30, 2013
Funding Amount:	$55,000.00
FHWA Program Name:	National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program
Goals:	The objective is to develop methodologies for easier identification and grading of wood species onsite.
Project Type:	Offsite
Background Information:	Data not yet available
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.
Partners:	Data not yet available
More Information URL(s):
Fieldtest:	Data not yet available
Expected Benefits:	Data not yet available
Deliverables:	Name: Field manual for field species and grade identification. Product Type(s): Research report, Techbrief, Draft standard, specifications, or guidelines Description: The product is a manual that can be used by bridge inspectors. Audiences: Researchers, State highway agencies, Federal Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center staff, Bridge design professionals Secondary Audiences:
Related URL(s):
Project Findings:	Data not yet available
FHWA Topics:	Roads and Bridges--Structures
TRT Terms:	Timber Wooden Bridges Infrastructure Bridges Research Covered Bridges
FHWA Disciplines:	Structures
Subject Areas:	Bridges and other structures Materials