30 years with Apple....

It's early on this Friday morning as I peruse the internet for the latest news. What catches my eye? Apple Computer is celebrating their 30th year with the MacIntosh computer, oddly enough, coinciding with our 30th year in business. Which gets me thinking....

I still remember the day ,30 years ago, walking into the computer store, in search of LCI's first work computer. And there it was.....the Mac,  beaconing to me......with that silly magician graphic on the screen and the trademark "dong"  sound while booting up.  I was sold. I convinced my partners that this is what we needed and we walked out of the store carrying the small pc back to the office. 

Now...Apple is a multi billion dollar corporation with assets and profits to amaze the heartiest accountant. Their computer systems have expanded and changed the way humans interact. Yet, LCI remains a small, personal company that actually answers the phone when it rings. And we have single handedly gone through most of the MacIntosh models.

So, in no way, can we compare to Apple Computer...yet we can say..that our first bridge supplied...30 years ago..in 1984....is still in service and performing as designed for the owner......can Apple say that?

30 Years

Its hard to believe, but this week makes the completion of our 30th year in business supplying engineered timber products for the transportation industry.

Throughout those years, we have developed strong, long lasting business relationships with some of the brightest and most talented individuals in the engineering community, both public and private. We have made many new contacts and shared the benefits of engineered timber with them.

Yet, sadly, we have said goodbye and will miss some valued friends.

We would like to thank those who provided us with the opportunity to prove that engineered timber is an economical and prudent alternative to steel and concrete structures. We look forward to working with you again, along with new customers looking to upgrade and maintain their aging bridge structures.

Give  LCI a call and let us show you how easy and affordable timber can be.

International Conference on Timber Bridges 2013 Link

A few months have passed since the Second International Timber Bridge Conference at Las Vegas. It was three days of sharing experiences and knowledge regarding advancements and past histories of timber bridge construction and uses worldwide.

The organizers have placed all of the presentations and presentations (PDF format) from the conference on the National Center for Wood Transportation Structures' website. In addition, the summary conference slide show with pictures is available.

See the web link provided below.  http://www.woodcenter.org/ICTB2013/

Wood and Water (part I)

Keep wood completely dry, it will last forever. Keep wood completely wet, it will last ages. We have heard these statements, yet in the real world, most wood applications don't fit into those two categories, especially timber bridges. 

Periodically, we will be writing about how to get the best protection from water for your bridge structures with proper detailing.

In part I, we will be talking about timber bridge guide railings, specifically  the guide rail posts.

It is important to know that glued laminated timber is manufactured with a moisture content of 12% to 14%. That is relatively dry for an exterior use application. Even with the oil borne preservatives protecting the wood, water can and does, enter the wood cells in service. Members such as rail posts with exposed tops are highly susceptible to wetting and drying causing checks, splits, water saturation and eventually deterioration.

In 1996, we set out to develop a capping system for our bridge post tops that would protect them from the elements, yet allow air circulation.  We selected an untreated Douglas Fir, glu-lam beam, 6 3/4" x 10 1/2" as the post. Buried it and capped it with a custon manufactured, Polyethylene plastic cap.

After 17 years it was time to measure the results of effectiveness. (mostly, we had to remove it because the post rotted out at the ground line)

The post was taken into our shop and moisture readings were read at varying locations.

The following are the measured readings:

Post face  :  ground 20.4%    mid 13.0 %    top   11.2 %

Post top   :  front 13.8%         mid 12%        rear 13.4%

Moisture reading locations on post top. F = front   R = rear

Moisture reading locations along post face

As the measurements and photos show, the top of the post was relatively dry and exhibited no signs of checking or splitting which is normally seen on uncovered tops proving that proper protection of exposed end grain on timber bridge members is paramount in providing longevity and serviceability to the structure. Whether it be polyethylene plastic, or some other means of covering, the investment will be well spent.

click here for more information  LCI Rail Maintenance 

Reduced Southern Pine Design Values and their effect on Glulam

For those who are familiar with designing wood members, you may also be aware that the allowable design values for dimension and sawn Southern Pine timber have been reduced. Tests have indicated that the juvenile wood, used in todays markets, have lower allowable strength values than those that have been published before. 

As a designer, it is important to know that these reductions are not applicable to the design of Glued Laminated Timber members.   Our laminator, ALAMCO Wood Products have provided us with the following from the APA-AITC white paper on Glue Lam lumber grading  (select link below)

 See PDF