Bridge inspection - timber bridges

In a recently finished project, the experience from timber bridges in Sweden was used to evaluate inspection methods to ensure systematic and effective inspections of timber bridges. At some close inspections of modern Swedish timber bridges no serious damages were found that will reduce the performance of the bridges during the next ten years. Defects of the inspected bridges were mainly related to cracks and delaminations, surface treatments, moisture content, steel coatings, connections, pre-stressed steel bars, pavings, and connections to abutments. The principally used field method was resistive moisture measurement, as moisture is the most critical parameter for the decay of wood. Swedish timber bridges with good design will have a long service life provided that regular inspections and maintenance work are performed (A). For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E212343.