AN INVESTIGATION OF THE SUITABILITY OF LAKE STATES TIMBER SPECIES FOR GUARDRAIL POSTS: PHASE I. SPECIFICATION FOR LAKE STATES GUARDRAIL POSTS

Wood has a number of properties which make it suitable for guardrail posts and blocks, one of the most important being its reaction to dyanamic loads such as a guardrail post may experience. The major factor in the use of a certain material for guardrail posts will be economics, or the cost of the post. In order that the wooden post provide the function that it was intended for, it is necessary to use high quality material and high quality preservative treament. The specification requires the use of grade stamped posts indicating grade and species requirements have been met, and the use of brands to indicate treating requirements have been met. The new MDOT specification allows the use of a number of Lake States species at high quality levels, as well as Douglas-fir and southern pine. Because the specifications are quite comprehensive both for the wood and for the preservative treatment it is felt that the new document will do much to improve the quality of guardrail posts in the State of Michigan and increase driver safety. The specification could act as a model for other states. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Michigan Technological University, Houghton

  Institute of Wood Research
  Houghton, MI  United States  49931

  Michigan Department of Transportation

  State Transportation Building, 425 West Ottawa Street, P.O. Box 30050
  Lansing, MI  United States  48909

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Adams, R D
  • LUND, A E
• Publication Date: 1984-5

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; References;
• Pagination: 33 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Coatings, fillers and paints; Guardrails; Posts; Preservation; Specifications; Timber; Wood
• Old TRIS Terms: Preservatives; Timber (Structural)
• Subject Areas: Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Safety and Human Factors; I35: Miscellaneous Materials; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00451656
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-MI-RD-85-02
• Contract Numbers: 97239
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 27 2004 9:12PM