Field Evaluation of Timber Preservation Treatments for Highway Applications

Timber material repair and replacement cost for timber bridges is a considerable expense to highway agencies in Iowa, especially to county road departments. To address these needs, the objectives of this investigation was to study the field effectiveness of various treatment alternatives used on Iowa roadway projects and to determine if the current specifications and testing are adequate for providing proper wood preservation. To satisfy the research needs, the project scope involved a literature review, identification of metrics, questionnaire survey of Iowa counties, onsite inspections, and a review of current specifications and testing procedures. Based on the preservative information obtained, the following general conclusions were made: Copper naphthenate is recommended as the plant-applied preservative treatment for timber bridges. Best Management Practices should be followed to ensure quality treatment of timber materials. Bridge maintenance programs need to be developed and implemented. The Iowa Department of Transportation specifications for preservative treatment are the regulating specification for bridges constructed with state or federal funding in Iowa and are also recommended for all other bridges.

• Record URL:
  http://publications.iowa.gov/13614/1/tr552.pdf
• Record URL:
  http://www.ctre.iastate.edu/reports/timber-preservation.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Iowa State University, Ames

  Center for Transportation Research and Education
  2711 South Loop Drive, Suite 4700
  Ames, IA  United States  50010-8664

  Iowa Department of Transportation

  Iowa Highway Research Board, 800 Lincoln Way
  Ames, IA  United States  50010
• Authors:
  • Wipf, Terry J
  • Klaiber, F Wayne
  • Bigelow, Jake J
  • Clausen, Carol A
  • Lebow, Stan T
  • Greimann, Lowell F
• Publication Date: 2007-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 100p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Best practices; Field tests; Highway bridges; Materials and structures protection; Preservation; Timber; Wood; Wooden bridges
• Geographic Terms: Iowa
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I60: Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01090177
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CTRE Project 06-252, IHRB Project TR-552
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 21 2008 8:13AM