PMSS Project Details

Project ID:	FHWA-PROJ-08-0049
Project Name:	Embedded Sensors to Measure In Situ Wood Moisture of Load-Carrying Members
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:	Moisture is a leading cause of deterioration of wood members. A moist condition can be a haven for wood-decaying organisms. If these moist conditions can be determined, then actions can be taken to prevent premature degradation. There is a need to identify or develop suitable sensors and installation methods, as well as Web-based monitoring of these sensors to detect decay at critical locations.
Laboratories:	Not Applicable
Start Date:	October 1, 2008
End Date:	September 30, 2013
Funding Amount:	$150,000.00
FHWA Program Name:	National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program
Goals:	The objective is to identify and/or develop suitable sensors and installations methods including Web-based monitoring of these sensors to detect decay at critical locations.
Project Type:	Offsite
Background Information:	Data not yet available
Test Methodology:	This study would include, but not be limited to long-term performance monitoring of new or rehabilitated covered bridges using both onsite and remote sensing techniques, development of an embedded sensor to measure the in-situ wood moisture of exposed structural members, Web-based monitoring for early detection of decay at critical locations within covered bridges (e.g., using embedded sensor previously described), Web-based monitoring of load and strain using advanced sensors (e.g., fiber optic), Web-based monitoring of the corrosion of fasteners in historic timber bridges using the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) corrosion system, and health monitoring of covered bridges using modal analysis.
Other Information:	Funding: $150,000 (Federal Highway Administration) + $30,000 (Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory)
Partners:	Data not yet available
More Information URL(s):
Fieldtest:	Data not yet available
Expected Benefits:	The expected benefit is to develop methodologies to determine onset of decay in timber structures.
Deliverables:	Name: Embedded Sensors for Monitoring Performance of Timber Structures Product Type(s): Research report, Techbrief Description: Identification of suitable sensors that can be embedded for long-term monitoring. Audiences: Researchers, State highway agencies Secondary Audiences:
Related URL(s):
Project Findings:	Data not yet available
FHWA Topics:	Roads and Bridges--Structures
TRT Terms:	Wooden Bridges Infrastructure Bridges Covered Bridges Sensors Inspection Research
FHWA Disciplines:	Structures
Subject Areas:	Bridges and other structures