How long will an old timber bridge last?

Timber bridging using very durable hardwoods was developed by the expansion of railways in the mid 1800's and later adapted to road bridges. Queensland's oldest timber bridge on a main road is 120 years old. There are still some 460 timber bridges on the state controlled network which are now becoming more expensive to maintain in a condition where they do not restrict access to permit vehicles. A recent investigation of the Hornibrook Highway, Australia's longest timber road bridge, has given some insight into rates of deterioration. Opened in 1935, and closed to traffic in 1979, it provides an example of environmental degradation with minimal maintenance intervention for the last 25 years. Ground penetrating radar was used in this major bridge inspection because it allows rapid scanning of a large number of girders at minimal cost. The deterioration found in the Hornibrook has some important implications for maintaining the remaining timber bridges. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E214936.

• Record URL:
  • http://arrbknowledge.com
• Authors:
  • FENWICK, J
• Publication Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 11P
• Serial:
  • AUSTROADS BRIDGE CONFERENCE, 6TH, 2006, PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
  • Publisher: AUSTROADS

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Conferences; Inspection; Maintenance; Management; Radar; Wood
• ITRD Terms: 155: Administration; 3455: Bridge; 8525: Conference; 3847: Maintenance; 6738: Radar; 9101: Surveillance; 4506: Wood (mater)
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Bridges and other structures; Maintenance and Preservation; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01050997
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Jun 11 2007 1:06PM