Design and Field Performance of a Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Truss Bridge

by Michael H. Triche, (M.ASCE), Univ of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, United States,
Michael A. Ritter, (A.M.ASCE), Univ of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, United States,
Stuart L. Lewis, (A.M.ASCE), Univ of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, United States,
Ronald W. Wolfe, Univ of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Structures Congress XII

Abstract:

This paper describes an on-going study on the design and performance attributes of an experimental wood-truss bridge. This is believed to be the first roadway bridge application of metal-plate-connected wood trusses. Constructed in the Fall of 1992 on a rural Alabama road, the bridge comprises two spans: Span 1 is a bolt-laminated transverse deck supported by multi-truss girders and Span 2 is a stress-laminated truss system. A comprehensive monitoring program, initiated shortly after construction, is providing information on seasonal variations in lumber moisture content, stressing bar forces and overall bridge condition. This includes periodic static load testing. After one-year, the monitoring program shows the bridge to be performing as expected.

Subject Headings: Wood bridges | Truss bridges | Girder bridges | Bridge decks | Bridge design | Trusses | Laminated materials | Alabama | United States

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