This project is investigating the integrity of wood guardrail posts in strategic locations of Washington state. Guardrail systems protect motorists involved in a crash by dissipating energy and keeping them from leaving the roadway. The guardrail post is an important part of the system. Unfortunately, wood guardrail posts are susceptible to failing during a crash event because of a loss of strength from wood decay.\u00a0 Wood decay\u00a0may be due to fungal growth or insect intrusion and is difficult to detect by visual inspection alone because decay commonly occurs inside the post.\u00a0 Phase I of this research proposed utilizing a stress wave timing (SWT) device for non-destructive field testing of wood posts.\u00a0 This Phase II study is focusing on quantifying the factors that affect wood post service life in the Northwest, including the post\u2019s age, location, and physical properties such as wood species, treatment method, and lumber grade.\u00a0 WSDOT will be able to use the information provided to consider the need to revise wood treatment specifications and\/or design guidance for wood guardrail posts.<\/p>\n
Principal Investigator: Adam Phillips<\/a>, Civil and Environmental Engineering, WSU This project is investigating the integrity of wood guardrail posts in strategic locations of Washington state. Guardrail systems protect motorists involved in a crash by dissipating energy and keeping them from leaving the roadway. The guardrail post is an important part of the system. Unfortunately, wood guardrail posts are susceptible to failing during a crash … Continue reading Field Analysis of Wood Guardrail Post Decay<\/span>
\nSponsor: WSDOT
\nWSDOT Technical M0nitor: Brad Manchas<\/a>
\nWSDOT Project Monitor: Doug Brodin<\/a>
\nScheduled completion: June 2018<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"