InTrans / Aug 14, 2018

Field performance of timber bridges: 6. Hoffman Run stress-laminated deck bridge

The Hoffman Run bridge, located just outside Dahoga,
Pennsylvania, was constructed in October 1990. The bridge
is a simple-span, single-lane, stress-laminated deck superstructure that is approximately 26 ft long and 16 ft wide. It is
the second stress-laminated timber bridge to be constructed
of hardwood lumber in Pennsylvania. The performance of the
bridge was monitored continually for approximately
32 months, beginning shortly after installation. Performance
monitoring involved gathering and evaluating data relative to
the moisture content of the wood deck, the force level of steel
stressing bars, the deck vertical creep, and the behavior of the
bridge under static-load conditions. Furthermore, comprehensive visual inspections were executed to assess the overall condition of the structure. Based on field evaluations, the bridge is performing properly with no structural deficiencies, although with respect to serviceability, the bridge has developed a slight sag at midspan.