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The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) investigated the structural integrity and performance of our nation’s infrastructure. The December 2013 ASCE report card for America’s infrastructure indicated that 11% of the nation’s bridges were classified as structurally deficient and nearly 25% were classified as functionally obsolete. Although the percentage of structurally deficient bridges has slightly declined in the past few years, visual inspection for a significant number of such bridges is needed to better identify damage and determine the appropriate retrofit methods. Due to increasing costs and limited accessibility of bridge inspection with current inspection technology, the use of remotely piloted aircraft systems equipped with high-resolution cameras may provide an effective means for bridge inspection. Drone technology may provide a more efficient tool for improving or enhancing current bridge inspection practices for timber bridges with visible damage and decay in inaccessible areas that could cause structural degradation.
Wacker, James P.
| - 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 » |