DESIGN, FABRICATION, TESTING, AND INSTALLATION OF A PRESS-LAM BRIDGE. FOREST SERVICE RESEARCH PAPER

Parallel laminated veneer (PLV) products are manufactured by adhesive bonding of rotary-peeled veneer. It has been estimated that a production line PLV process could convert green logs into a finished structural laminate in less than an hour. Press-Lam, a PLV product under investigation at the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, has exhibited decreases in variability of mechanical properties and increases in chemical preservative penetration and retention when compared to solid-sawn lumber. A prototype highway bridge constructed entirely of Press-Lam has been erected by the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation. This bridge was field tested to its AASHTO HS-20 design load. Preliminary allowable stresses were determined by data obtained from destructive laboratory tests on 18 full-scale stringers and 6 sections of decking made from Douglas-fir Press-Lam. In the face of dwindling supplies of large structural timbers, PLV products are attractive alternatives for exposed structural applications. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Forest Products Laboratory

  P.O. Box 5130, North Walnut Street
  Madison, WI  United States  53705
• Authors:
  • Youngquist, J A
  • Gromala, D S
  • Jokerst, R W
  • Moody, R C
  • Tschernitz, J L
• Publication Date: 1979

Media Info

• Pagination: 24 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge design; Bridges; Building materials; Field tests; Laminated wood; Laminates; Lumber; Stringers; Structural design; Supply; Timber; Timber construction; Wood preservatives; Wooden bridges
• Uncontrolled Terms: Veneers
• Old TRIS Terms: Glued laminated bridge stringers; Laminated stringers; Timber supply
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00313709
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FSRP-FPL-332
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 26 1980 12:00AM