EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE ON TIMBER RAILROAD BRIDGE/TRACK MEMBERS AND CONNECTORS

This pilot experimental study examined the time dependent mechanical effects of moisture, temperature and humidity on a particular connection detail of open-deck timber trestle railroad bridge chord. A full scale specimen was conceived to include the standard inter-connections of the steel rail to wood cross tie to multi ply chord member. The full scale section of a timber trestle railroad bridge was tested to observe the time dependent mechanical effect of temperature and humidity on timber trestle railroad bridge connections by analyzing the load sharing effects of the plies through the transverse connector rods. The specimen spanned 67 inches and was composed of 7 wood crossties. It was ramp tested on each of its three plies and vertical displacement measurements were taken. The results of the test were unexpected as the midspan deflection of the east ply increased 82% while its load increased 1.1%; the midspan deflection of the west ply increased by 7% while its load decreased 0.8%. Despite the changes in deflection, the load sharing through the plies remained nearly unchanged.

• Record URL:
  https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=510
• Corporate Authors:

  Mountain-Plains Consortium

  North Dakota State University
  Fargo, ND  United States  58108
• Authors:
  • Burgers, T
  • Balogh, J
  • Gutkowski, R
• Publication Date: 2004-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References;
• Pagination: 27 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Deflection tests; Humidity; Load factor; Railroad bridges; Steel rails; Temperature; Timber construction; Trestles; Wood ties
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00986798
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MPC Report No. 04-167
• Files: UTC, TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 18 2005 12:00AM