National Best Practices Conference Covered Bridge Preservation Covered Bridges The First National Covered Bridge Conference Burlington, VT June 5-7, 2003.

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Covered BridgesCovered Bridges

The First National Covered Bridge Conference Burlington, VT June 5-7, 2003Presented by: Sean T. James, P.E. Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc. Manchester, New Hampshire Burlington, Vermont

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

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•Historical Research

•Inspection

•Roof Types

•Structural Upgrade

•Maintenance

IntroductionIntroduction

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•Need for Research

•Review by SHPO

•Sources

• National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges (NSPCB)

• State Department of Transportation (DOT)

• State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)

• Historic American Engineering Record (HAER)

• City or Town Files and Annual Reports

• Local Historic Committee

• Local Newspaper Archives

• Covered Bridge Related Books

• Local Residents

Historical ResearchHistorical Research

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Historical ResearchHistorical Research

•Examples• Swiftwater Covered Bridge – Bath, NH

•Built in 1849

•Paddleford Trusses

•Arches Added in 1930’s

•Rehabilitation in 1998

• Haverhill/Bath Covered Bridge – Haverhill/Bath, NH

•Completed in 1829

•Town Lattice Trusses

•Arches Added in 1920’s

•Rehabilitation in Fall of 2003

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Historical ResearchHistorical Research

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Historical ResearchHistorical Research

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Historical ResearchHistorical Research

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Historical ResearchHistorical Research

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•Difficult Access for Most Bridges

•Critical to Successful Project

•Much Deterioration is Hidden

•Inspection Assistance

•Removal of Siding

•Rigging

•Inspection Equipment

InspectionInspection

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Roof TypesRoof Types

Several Common Types

•Asphalt Shingle•Use is Not Common on Covered Bridges

•Not Historically Accurate

•Wood Shake•Most Expensive

•Difficult to Make Watertight

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Roof TypesRoof Types

•Metal Panel•Poor Connection Detail

•Standing Seam Metal•Preferred Type

•Good Details

•Long Lasting

•Multiple Colors

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Roof TypesRoof Types

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Structural UpgradesStructural Upgrades

•Most Covered Bridges Were Not Designed for Modern Vehicular Loads

•Upgrades Often Needed for Emergency Vehicles

•Three Upgrade Options•Replacement of Bridge Members

•Splicing or Sistering

•Addition of Supplemental Supports

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Structural UpgradesStructural Upgrades

•Union Village Covered Bridge, Thetford, VT

•Built in 1867

•Longest Multiple Kingpost Bridge in Vermont

•H8 (8 Ton) Capacity

•H20 (20 Ton) Goal

•3 Options Studied•“Do Nothing”

•Replace Truss Members

•Add Support Stringers

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Structural UpgradesStructural Upgrades

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Structural UpgradesStructural Upgrades

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MaintenanceMaintenance

•Proper Maintenance = Short Presentation

•Most Maintenance is Simple to Perform

•Removal of Sand Annually

•Semi-Annual Inspection of the Roof

•Replacement of Damaged/Missing Siding

•Repair or Replacement of Damaged Bridge Members

•Proper Detailing is Important

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MaintenanceMaintenance

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MaintenanceMaintenance

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•Historical Research

•Inspection

•Roof Types

•Structural Upgrade

•Maintenance

SummarySummary

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Sean T. James, P.E. Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc. 150 Dow Street Manchester, New Hampshire (603) 669-5555 [email protected]

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