DECAY IN TIMBER TRESTLES: WHAT IS ITS RATE OF GROWTH?

The destruction of wood, especially timber piles, by decay is examined. After defining the nature of decay, it is concluded that its progression is exponential rather than linear. Decay is seen expanding in all directions on the same mathematical basis as a sphere grows when its diameter increases. From this concept, a mathematical approach is developed which makes it possible to predict the percentage of reject piles that might be expected to develop in a trestle, or in all the trestles on a line at any future time. Because much of the piling in the 2,300 track miles of timber railroad trestles in the U.S. and Canada was driven between 1910 and 1930, the demand for heavy annual maintenance or renewal is predicted.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1763403
• Corporate Authors:

  Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation

  508 Birch Street
  Bristol, CT  United States  06010
• Authors:
  • Williams, J R
  • Norton, K J
• Publication Date: 1976-4

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 26-29
• Serial:
  • Railway Track and Structures
  • Volume: 72
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation
  • ISSN: 0033-9016

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Creosote; Maintenance; Reconstruction; Support piles; Timber; Trestles; Wood preservatives
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge maintenance
• Old TRIS Terms: Creosoting; Timber piles; Timber trestles
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00132981
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 5 1976 12:00AM