FHWA Bridge Inspector's Manual Section 2.1—Bridge Materials (Timber)- a PDH Online Course for Engineers, Architects and Surveyors

FHWA Bridge Inspector's Manual Section 2.1—Bridge Materials (Timber)

Course Outline

This three-hour online course discusses 1) basic shapes used in timber bridge construction (round, rectangular, and built-up), 2) properties of timber (physical and mechanical), 3) timber grading (sawn and glued-laminated), 4) types and causes of timber deterioration (natural defects, fungi, insects, and protective coating failure), 5) protective systems (water repellants, preservatives, fire retardants, and paint), and 6) inspection procedures (visual and physical).

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

Be familiar with round, rectangular, and built-up cross sections of timber members;
Know timber classification, timber grading, growth features, and moisture content;
Be cognizant of orthotropic behavior, fatigue characteristics, impact resistance, and creep characteristics;
Know principles of visual and mechanical stress grading;
Be familiar with natural defects found in timber;
Be familiar with deterioration caused by fungi, insects, marine borers, and chemical attack;
Be cognizant of other types and sources of deterioration;
Know protective coating failure;
Be familiar with types and characteristics of wood protectants; and
Be familiar with principles of visual and physical examination.

Intended Audience

This course is intended primarily for civil, construction, and structural engineers, and would be of particular interest to consulting engineers or to engineers serving in government organizations concerned with the safety of bridges.

Benefit to Attendees

An attendee of this course will be familiar with the characteristics of timber as used in bridges and will be able to use this information in bridge inspection programs.

Course Introduction

Approximately 7% of the bridges listed in the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) are classified as timber bridges. Another 7% of the total have a timber deck supported by a steel superstructure. Many of these bridges are very old, but the use of timber structures is gaining new popularity with the use of engineered wood products. To preserve and maintain them, it is important that the bridge inspector understand the basic characteristics of wood.

Course Content

This course is based on BIRM’s Section 2.1 (Bridge Materials-Timber)of the Federal Highway Administration Bridge Inspector’s Reference Manual, Publication No. FHWA NHI 03-001, October, 2002, Revised December, 2006.

FHWA Bridge Inspector's Manual Section 2.1—Bridge Materials (Timber)

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Course Summary

The characteristics of timber used in bridges are described in a manner useful for bridge inspectors.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/bripro.htm

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.