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In recent years, the concept of an economical, durable, short-span bridge that reduces construction time has become to the county engineer more of a necessity than a goal. In addition, county engineers are seeking these same qualities in methods to repair and strengthen existing bridges on the secondary road system. This is just one of the goals that the Innovative Bridge Research and Construction (IRBC) Program, sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), wishes to achieve through sponsored research projects. Delaware County, Iowa, took a step in that direction through the construction of a 64-ft-long bridge using glued-laminated timber girders reinforced with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) and a transverse glued-laminated timber deck. The bridge was fabricated by Alamco Wood Products, Inc., of Albert Lea, Minnesota. Prior funding for the design, construction (including materials), and monitoring/evaluation of this project has been obtained through the IBRC Program with the assistance of Curtis Monk, Division Bridge Engineer with the Iowa Division of the FHWA.
| - FPL's Mission and Strategic Plan - |
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FPL's mission is to identify and conduct innovative wood and fiber utilization research that contributes to conservation and productivity of the forest resource, thereby sustaining forests, the economy, and quality of life. ... ..more » |
| - FPL Research Emphasis Areas - |
Advanced Composites
As an integral part of the FPL mission, we improve the long-term sustainability of our Nation's forests by creating valuable composite products from biobased materials ... ..more » 
Advanced Structures
The FPL has been in the forefront of wood-frame housing research since 1910 and has long been recognized as a world leader in such housing-related areas as engineered wood ... ..more » 
Forest Biorefinery
We all know the compelling reasons that the United States needs to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Historically, the greatest increases in energy demand have been for transportation fuels ... ..more » 
Nanotechnology
A leader in wood products research for over a century, the FPL is positioning itself to become the lead Federal research facility for the application of nanotechnology in forest products ... more » 
Woody Biomass Utilization
Forests in the United States contain a substantial amount of small-diameter, overstocked, and underutilized material.FPL research projects are exploring the potential of the small-diameter ... ..more » |