Nondestructive Evaluation of Timber Columns of a Capela Bridge in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract:

After years of exposure in environmental conditions, the wood is subject to decay by chemical, mechanical, physical and biological agents. Consequently its physical and mechanical properties can be reduced, affecting their use. Timber used in bridge sustention columns is subject to intense decay process, mainly in outcrop area (area in contact to the ground), the most critical situation, because of the best combination of humidity e oxygen, factors that provide wood decay organisms. Decay process can be minimized with preventive maintenance, as wood impregnation with preservatives, before installation of the timber. After wood is installed, a periodical maintenance is necessary to conserve and prolong its life time. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate degradation occurred in timber columns used in Capela Bridge sustention, built with mixed system of wood and concrete, after 10-years-old of use. Located in Piracicaba - SP, Brazil, the bridge was made with Corymbia citriodora CCA-treated. The columns strength and degradation conditions were evaluated in 2 points with isntrumented driller. Point A was approximately 1,5 m of the ground and point B was in outcrop area. Instrumented driller results showed that all the columns, in both points, presented good strength and had no degradation level.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 778)
• Pages: 258-264
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.778.258
• Online since: September 2013
• Authors: Fabiane Salles Ferro, Julio César Pigozzo, Diego Henrique de Almeida, Felipe Hideyoshi Icimoto, Laurenn Borges de Macedo, Carlito Calil Junior, Francisco Antonio Rocco Lahr
• Keywords: Bridge, Nondestructive Evaluation, Timber Columns

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