Author ORCID Identifier:
Date of Graduation
5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Civil Engineering
Advisor/Mentor
Heymsfield, Ernie
Committee Member
Murray, Cameron
Second Committee Member
Hale, Micah
Keywords
Digital Image Correlation; Load Rating; Mechanical Properties; Non-Destructive Testing; Poisson's Ratio; Timber Piles
Abstract
Timber piles are widely used in bridge foundations across the United States due to their low cost and ease of installation. The strength of a timber pile is dependent on many factors including wood species, unbraced length, support conditions, age and cross-sectional properties. Cross-sectional properties are highly impacted by the progression of biological deterioration which often is undetected when using standard DOT inspections methods. Current inspection practices rely primarily on subjective methods that provide limited quantitative information about a pile’s existing load-carrying capacity. Consequently, timber piles are inaccurately assessed and prematurely replaced. In response, this thesis investigates the relationship between NDT measurements and the structural capacity of deteriorated timber bridge piles. The goal of this on-going study is to develop a protocol that properly assesses inplace timber piles so that timber pile bridges are correctly load rated and piles are not prematurely replaced. Southern pine piles supplied by the Arkansas Department of Transportation were used in this work. The studied piles were taken from existing bridge sites. These piles had been in service for approximately 70 – 80 years. Thirty full-scale compression tests were conducted and complemented using several NDT techniques: - resistance drilling using the IML RESI PD-500, - stress wave testing using a Fakopp Microsecond Timer, - compressive strength measurements using the IML Fractometer II, and - digital image correlation.
Citation
Ghimire, A. (2026). Enhancing Methods for Load Rating Bridge Timber Piles. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/6154
