Wingatui Bridge

Recently Buddinghtree Consultancy received an order from the Dunedin City Council to test the condition of a wooden bridge.
This test was carried out with the Digital micro Probe.
Before a decay test is carried out, the diameter of the pole is taken in order to be able to calculate the degree of decay.
When the microprobe drills into the wood, data are downloaded in a computer and afterwards manipulated in a graph. The graph shows peaks and valleys, of which each peak represents one year ring. If the wood is sound, the year rings show up quite clearly. If on the other hand the wood is partially decayed the graph pattern becomes distorted. When there is a cavity in the wood, the graph line shows no peaks at all but becomes a straight line.

After all the field data are taken, a report is prepared with exact details about the condition of the timbers.

In the above case, the use of the microprobe was an important tool to visualise the condition of the bridge allowing for final recommendations for  future management of the bridge.