GREENHEART IN MARINE CONSTRUCTION

Fifty million (plus) dollars damage caused annually by marine borers to waterfront timbers. An increase in marine borer activity is projected due to: 1) Cleaner waters; 2) Thermal pollution and 3) Restricted use of oils, tars, salts and other toxins. Physical Properties of Greenheart: 2) Greenheart's resistance to marine borers due to alkaloid bebeerine and tyloses in wood; 2) Small taper in peeled piling--less than 1" per 10 feet length--hence high bearing strength and large friction surface; 3) Greenheart is only one of two woods bearing the highest resistancy rating of A-1 with Lloyds of London; 4) "Highly resistant to wood-destroying fungi"--U.S. Forest Service and 5) "Authentic records show that the grades surpass iron and steel when placed in water or contact with the soil"--U.S. Forest Service circular 211--C.D. Mell. The object of this exercise is to demonstrate that, although the initial purchasing price for Greenheart is somewhat higher than domestic treated wood, the longer service life combined with less repair, lesser quantities due to superior strength, less replacement and labor expenses, decidedly makes Greenheart the most economical marine construction wood in the marketplace. Recent pier construction projects completed in the New York area attest to the acceptance of this marine construction timber by federal, state and municipal agencies as well as private pier owners. timber by federal, state and municipal agencies as well as private pier owners.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proceedings of Second International Waterborne Transportation Conference, October 5-7, 1977, New York City. Available April, 1978, approximately 750 pages. Cost: to ASCE members $15.00; non-members $30.00.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Sproge, R H
• Publication Date: 1977

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Building materials; Cost effectiveness; Marine borers; Support piles; Wood preservatives
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00170796
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: American Society of Civil Engineers
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 14 1978 12:00AM