T-section glulam timber bridge modules : modeling and performance

Paul A. Morgan; Steven E. Taylor; Michael Ritter; John M. Franklin

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T-section glulam timber bridge modules : modeling and performance

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Paul A. Morgan, Steven E. Taylor, Michael Ritter, John M. Franklin

Year:

1999

Type:

Miscellaneous Publication

Station:

Forest Products Laboratory

Source:

1999 ASAE/CSAE-SCGR annual international meeting : emerging technologies for the 21st century ; Toronto, Ontario, Canada, July 18-21, 1999. St. Joseph, MI : American Society of Agricultural Engineers, [1999].:22 p. : ill.

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Abstract

This paper describes the design, modeling, and 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 in static bending tests. When actual lumber property data were used in transformed section and finite element models, the models overpredicted the stiffness of the bridge panels. The transformed section results provided the best agreement with test results. The bridges were cost effective and although some damaged occurred to the bridge modules during their removal, they have functioned well overall.

Keywords

Bridges, Laminated wood, Composite wood assemblies, Models, Design, Performance, Stiffness

Citation

Morgan, Paul A.; Taylor, Steven E.; Ritter, Michael A.; Franklin, John M. 1999. T-section glulam timber bridge modules : modeling and performance. 1999 ASAE/CSAE-SCGR annual international meeting : emerging technologies for the 21st century ; Toronto, Ontario, Canada, July 18-21, 1999. St. Joseph, MI : American Society of Agricultural Engineers, [1999].:22 p. : ill.