Durability by design of outdoor timber walkways and pedestrian bridges

Emmanuil Dialynas

Key information

Authors:

Emmanuil Dialynas (Emmanuil Dialynas)

Supervisors:

Maria Dulce Silva Franco Henriques; Inês Dos Santos Flores Barbosa Colen (Inês Flores-Colen)

Published in

July 26, 2021

Abstract

This research is aimed to explore efficient design options for outdoor timber walkways that will extend the service life. Durability based design has to consider various aspects, which include: the evaluation of the environmental conditions and impacts, the correct choice of material, implementing constructive solutions and applying the appropriate treatment. The methodology applied in this study focuses on the visual assessment and non-destructive testing of three case studies located in urban and maritime environments in the periphery of Lisbon, Portugal. Depending on the setting, different conditions affect the structure in a distinct manner, creating various kinds of decay. The effects and causes of each kind of deterioration have to be analysed and arranged so that issues in the design become apparent and further interpretations are possible. Subsequently, verdicts concerning the impact of extremely moist and dry conditions on the structures in correlation to modern construction techniques and designs can be made and used in order to highlight superior solutions. Ultimately, the best designs and treatments are discussed and compared, providing future research the necessary information to advance in terms of discovering the most advantageous methods of timber construction regarding durability and saving costs during service life and manufacture.