Date of Graduation
5-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Civil Engineering
Advisor/Mentor
Heymsfield, Ernie
Committee Member
Coffman, Richard
Abstract
Timber piles are widely used as foundational support for bridge substructures; however, they are susceptible to deterioration over time. This significantly impacts their load-bearing capacity and overall structural integrity. Despite their critical role in bridge safety, a lack of effective methods exist for assessing the in-service load capacity of timber piles. The ability to accurately determine load-bearing capacity is essential for transportation agencies to estimate the remaining service life of bridges, plan maintenance repairs, and ensure public safety. However, research in this area has been limited, with most studies focusing on retrofitting or repair techniques rather than evaluating the in-use structural capacity of timber piles. For this study, a survey was conducted to examine the current inspection methodologies used by bridge inspectors, the frequency of inspection, and the number of timber pile bridges found in various states throughout the country. The results indicate that many states rely on outdated inspection practices and lack standardized procedures for determining the load capacity of in-service timber piles. Furthermore, the survey revealed that most states do not calculate a timber pile load capacity rating but rather leave uncertainties regarding the actual weight limits that these piles can safely support. In addition to the survey, this research investigates the primary causes of timber pile deterioration, ARDOT’s current bridge rating procedures, and the tools presently used to assess timber piles. Timber pile testing and section loss analysis performed at the Civil Engineering Research and Education Center shows the reduced load capacity of a deteriorated pile. The overall objective of this study is implementing improved methodologies and load capacity calculations to enable transportation agencies to make better educated decisions regarding bridge maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement, and therefore enhance the longevity and safety of timber pile-supported infrastructures.
Keywords
Structural Engineering; Bridge Design; Timber Pile Bridges; Arkansas Department of Transportation; Civil Engineering
Citation
Kalt, T. (2025). Development of Modern Methods for Evaluation of Bridge Timber Pile Capacity. Civil Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/cveguht/89
