Review of timber bridge maintenance practices on Queensland state controlled road networks

Cohen, Jethro (2016) Review of timber bridge maintenance practices on Queensland state controlled road networks. [USQ Project]

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Abstract

There are over 300 timber bridges on QLD state controlled roads. Most of these are in poor condition. They require constant maintenance as the timber components deteriorate over time.

Detailed level 2 inspections are done as part of the Bridge Asset Management System. A significant number of the defects are due to poor practices. These practices, such as excessive sniping of girders and corbels, contribute to many bridges being rated in poor condition. This causes costs to increase due to increased inspection frequencies and rectification works.

The aim of this research is to critically review current practices and attempt to quantify the actual risk of poor maintenance practices, in particular excessive sniping. A literature review of current timber bridge inspection and maintenance practices has been undertaken to identify key issues. Inspection data from timber bridges in the Mackay-Whitsunday district has been reviewed to identify the main factors affecting condition states and risk ratings. Finally, some structural analysis has been carried out using finiteelement modelling in Strand7.

Finite Element modelling allows idealised timber components to be analysed under different loading conditions. This has been used to compare the effect of snipe depth on the structural integrity of timber components. As snipe depth increases, stress concentrations form at the snipe resulting in increased risk of splitting. Based on this modelling, some recommendations are made regarding the future assessment of component condition states.


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Item Type: USQ Project
Item Status: Live Archive
Additional Information: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Major Civil Engineering project
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Civil Engineering and Surveying (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021)
Supervisors: Lokuge, Weena
Date Deposited: 19 Jul 2017 23:33
Last Modified: 19 Jul 2017 23:33
Uncontrolled Keywords: bride maintenance practices; road networks; state controlled
Fields of Research (2008): 09 Engineering > 0905 Civil Engineering > 090502 Construction Engineering
Fields of Research (2020): 40 ENGINEERING > 4005 Civil engineering > 400504 Construction engineering
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/31387

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