Evaluating fire-damaged components of historic covered bridges

Brian Kukay; Charles Todd; Tyler Jahn; Jenson Sannon; Logan Dunlap; Robert H. White; Mark A. Dietenberger

doi:10.2737/FPL-GTR-243

Treesearch

Evaluating fire-damaged components of historic covered bridges

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Brian Kukay, Charles Todd, Tyler Jahn, Jenson Sannon, Logan Dunlap, Robert H. White, Mark A. Dietenberger

Year:

2016

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Forest Products Laboratory

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/FPL-GTR-243

Source:

USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, General Technical Report, FPL-GTR-243

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Download (PDF 1.27 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/52667.pdf

Abstract

Arson continues to claim many historic covered bridges. Site-specific, post-fire evaluations of the structural integrity of a bridge are often necessary in a fire’s aftermath. Decisions on whether individual wood components can be rehabilitated, reconstructed, or replaced must be made. This report includes coverage of existing approaches and exploratory approaches that can be used for general guidance and a select number of more specific treatments that can be used to approximate the residual capacity of individual firedamaged members. Topics such as fire-retardant treatments and other measures to prevent future fire damage are also discussed.

Keywords

covered bridge damage, rehabilitation of fire damaged bridge, fire resistant protection of structural wood

Citation

Kukay, Brian; Todd, Charles; Jahn, Tyler; Sannon, Jenson; Dunlap, Logan; White, Robert; Dietenberger, Mark. 2016. Evaluating fire-damaged components of historic covered bridges. USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, General Technical Report. Madison, WI. PL-GTR-243.