Field & Lab Notes
Field notes from timber’s most-tested minds
Practical timber engineering, non-destructive testing, and restoration, written by the people who do the work.
The Blog
Latest notes from the lab & in the field
EngineeringSound to the Core: The Case for Saving the Powder Point BridgeWRD's inspection found roughly 90 percent of the Powder Point Bridge sound, and a $17M restoration against a $172M replacement.Sep 13, 2026Read more →EngineeringWhy PDA Testing Shouldn’t Be Done On Timber PilesWhy the Pile Driving Analyzer misread the timber piles at Dillmans Bridge, and what static load testing proved instead.Aug 13, 2026Read more →InspectionsWood Rot 101: All About Preventing Wood Decay For Your HomeWhat causes wood to rot, the four conditions fungi need, and how to design and finish timber so decay never gets started.Jul 13, 2026Read more →EngineeringTimber vs Steel vs Concrete BridgesHow timber compares with steel and concrete on lifespan, cost, carbon, seismic performance, and span.Jun 13, 2026Read more →Engineering6 Reasons to Consider Timber Instead of Concrete and SteelSix reasons timber beats concrete and steel on cost, carbon, weight, build speed, safety, and service life.May 13, 2026Read more →InspectionsHow to Pick the Perfect Firm for Your ProjectThe six things to weigh when choosing an engineering, inspection, and testing firm for a timber structure.Apr 13, 2026Read more →PreservationTimber Durability: How to Protect Your Wood Structure and Extend Its LifespanWhat actually determines how long a timber structure lasts, and the maintenance that extends it.Mar 13, 2026Read more →EngineeringThe Meadow Lake Timber Bridge: A Retrofit and Deck Replacement ProjectHow an abandoned eight-span timber rail trestle was inspected, reinforced, and re-decked to carry L100 log-truck loads.Feb 13, 2026Read more →Mass TimberSustainable Construction: The Benefits of Using Mass TimberWhy mass timber is a lower-carbon structural choice for modern construction.Jan 3, 2026Read more →InspectionsTimber Bridge Inspections: What You Need to KnowWhat owners need to know before commissioning a timber bridge inspection.Nov 10, 2025Read more →EngineeringTimber Bridge Repair: A Roadmap for SuccessA step-by-step roadmap for repairing and extending the life of a timber bridge.Jul 31, 2025Read more →EngineeringTimber Bridges: Strength & VersatilityHow timber bridges deliver strength, long service life, and design flexibility.May 30, 2025Read more →HeritageTimber Bridges of Orbost Railway Bridge Network Stand StrongThe history and enduring strength of the Orbost railway bridge network.Mar 18, 2025Read more →Mass TimberWhy Mass Timber is Here to StayWhat mass timber is, and why it's earning a permanent place in construction.Jan 20, 2025Read more →InspectionsTimber Structure Inspection: Tillamook Air MuseumInside WRD's structural inspection of the landmark Tillamook Air Museum hangar.Nov 7, 2024Read more →