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Forest Products Laboratory
One Gifford Pinchot Drive
Madison, WI 53726-2398
Phone: (608) 231-9200
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Title: Ponderosa Pine Round Guardrail Post Testing and Evaluation Program---Phase 11

Source: USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin, Research In Progress FPL-RIP-4714-027

Author(s): Forest Products Laboratory

Publication Year: 2014  View PDF »

Related Publications: view

Category: Research In Progress

Abstract: Over the past several decades, the southwestern Unites States experienced numerous forest fires, prompting a need for more preventive techniques. In 2000, President Bill Clinton initiated the creation of the National Fire Plan, which centered around four main goals:
  • Improve prevention and suppression
  • Reduce hazardous fuels
  • Restore fire-adapted ecosystems
  • Promote community assistance
Historically, fuel management has been a commonly used technique for fire protection. In the 1960s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service began managing fuels using controlled-burn techniques, which are generally effective. To remove small-diameter forest thinnings (SDTs) from an area, fires were started with containment. The thinnings, which could help fuel a future fire, consisted mostly of pine and fir species. However, because of the lack of economic benefits and the high risk involved with controlled-burn methods, more cost-efficient methods were sought to remove SDTs. The Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) has conducted several guardrail post studies exploring the potential value-added use of small-diameter round wood from fuel reduction thinnings. In Phase II of this study, investigation of the potential use of round ponderosa pine posts within existing standard guardrail systems continues.

Keywords: ground Guardrail Post, Ponderosa Pine, Bogie Tests

File size: 1,222 kb(s)

Date posted: 06/15/2014

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