Research & Innovation

Development of Cost-Effective Timber Bridge Repair Techniques for Minnesota: Manual for Repairs

Status:  Complete
Report Date:  11/23/2015

Summary:

2015-45A: The primary objective of this work is to provide formal guidance to county engineers throughout Minnesota for repairing timber bridge components. The benefit of having such a resource will be measured by improving the overall condition of the transportation system and reducing system failures through implementation by local officials. As is often the case, funds required to complete repairs are limited and, as a result, any method used must not only be structurally feasible but also economically feasible. This report provides bridge owners and caretakers several routine maintenance and repair options aimed to meet the goals of simplicity and affordability. The economic impact of repairing timber bridges was assessed for multiple scenarios: a comparison was made between the net present value of repair at varying repair costs over time and the net present value of varying reconstruction costs over time. Through this exercise, for each scenario, a point in time was identified when repair or reconstruction makes most economic sense. An additional assessment of overall costs (direct plus indirect) was completed, which included the increased user costs due to bridge posting or closure. This assessment made clear that when indirect costs are included, the benefits of maintaining or repairing a bridge to prevent posting or closure become great. A standalone manual, Cost-Effective Timber Bridge Repairs: Manual for Repairs of Timber Bridges in Minnesota, was also developed for this project. ::: 2015-45B: One of the primary objectives of this project, Development of Cost-Effective Timber Bridge Repair Techniques for Minnesota, was to produce a timber bridge repair manual. This manual is comprised of some of the content from the final report for the project, along with an extended presentation of timber maintenance options. This final manual is a standalone document from which the maintenance and repair options can be implemented. A final report (2015-45A, Development of Cost-effective Timber Bridge Repair Techniques for Minnesota) was also developed.

Final Deliverables:

• Manual #2015-45B
• Report #2015-45A
• Other #201545PP
• Research Summary

Related Materials:

• Timber Bridge Inspection: Stress Wave Timer Demonstration  - (Video/Webinar)
• Timber Bridge Inspection: Resistance Microdrilling Demonstration  - (Video/Webinar)

Related Research:

• Cost-Competitive Timber Bridge Designs for Long-Term Performance
• Development and Integration of Advanced Timber Bridge Inspection Techniques for NBIS Purchase Equipment and Train Users
• Development and Integration of Advanced Timber Bridge Inspection Techniques for NBIS
• Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Pile Driving Project - Phase II Study
• Developing Flexural Vibration Inspection Techniques for Wooden Bridges
• Development of Flexural Vibration Inspection Equipment, Techniques to Assess Structural Health of Rural Bridge Sys II.
• Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Pile Driving Project-Phase II Study
• Development and Integration of Advanced Timber Bridge Inspection Techniques for NBIS
• Development and Integration of Advanced Timber Bridge Inspection Techniques for NBIS purchase Equipment and Train Users
• Cost-competitive Timber Bridge Designs for Long Term Performance