Center for Applied Research
and Technology Development
Checking timber bridges

Timber Bridges

Our NRRI research team has worked in partnership with the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Michigan Technological University, Minnesota Department of Transportation and other Minnesota Counties to develop inspection protocols and short courses for conducting assessments of timber bridges using advanced inspection techniques included impact and ultrasound stress wave equipment, resistance drills, probes, and vibration of an existing timber bridge.

Recent Research

Recent research has focused on developing a global dynamic testing technique for evaluating the overall stiffness of timber bridge superstructures. Field timber bridges in Minnesota and Michigan have been tested using these techniques with promising results. Automated testing equipment is being developed and testing equipment has been permanently attached to a timber bridge at the Ford Forestry Center in Alberta, Michigan to allow for long term monitoring.