Current Research

Evaluating new nondestructive-evaluation methodologies for assessment of covered timber bridges.

Remote monitoring of geotextile reinforced soil integrated bridge systems

Evaluation of new, lightweight bridge superstructures for covered timber bridges.

Research Interests

Nondestructive evaluation of structures.

Material characterization.

Past Research

Acousto-Ultrasonic Inspection and Finite Difference Time Domain Simulation

Detection and Assessment of Wood Decay – Glulam Beams and Wooden Utility Poles

Why This Research is Important

Infrastructure of the Unites States is of grave concern. Nondestructive evaluation allows for assessment of our roads, bridges, utility poles, and other structures without changing their condition. Better evaluation tools allow engineers to make more informed decisions regarding where to spend limited funds to best meet demands.

Beyond repair and maintenance, new bridge superstructure designs for bridges can potentially increase the load capacity of exisiting bridges. In this way, we can enjoy the beauty of our historic timber bridges, and insure they are up to the task of supporting modern vehicles and traffic loads.

Professional Experience

Publications

• Farber, Benjamin; Senalik, Christopher Adam. 2021. Calculating strength ratio and grade quality index of dimensional lumber using ASTM D4761 and ASTM D245.
• Senalik, Christopher Adam; Farber, Benjamin. 2021. Commercial lumber, round timbers, and ties.
• Shmulsky, Rubin ; França, Frederico José Nistal; Ratcliff, J. Tedrick; Farber, Benjamin ; Senalik, C. Adam; Ross, Robert J.; Seale, R. Daniel. 2021. Compression Properties of Small Clear Southern Yellow Pine Specimens Tested across Five Decades.
• Ross, Robert; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Shmulsky, Rubin; Brashaw, Brian. 2021. Development of Field Inspection Practices for Wood Structures on Fire-Prone Lands: Application of State-of-the-Art Condition Assessment Techniques.
• Franca, Frederico Jose Nistal; Shmulsky, Rubin; Ratcliff, Tedrick; Farber, Benjamin; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Ross, Robert; Seale, R. Daniel. 2021. Interrelationships of Specific Gravity, Stiffness, and Strength of Yellow Pine across Five Decades.
• Senalik, Christopher Adam; Farber, Benjamin. 2021. Mechanical properties of wood.
• Cai, Zhiyong; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Ross, Robert. 2021. Mechanical properties of wood-based composite materials.
• Senalik, Christopher Adam; Farber, Benjamin. 2021. Stress grades and design properties for lumber, round timber, and ties.
• Rodrigues, Brunela Pollastrelli; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Wu, Xi ; Wacker, James . 2021. Use of Ground Penetrating Radar in the Evaluation of Wood Structures: A Review.
• França, Frederico José Nistal; Shmulsky, Rubin ; Ratcliff, J. Tedrick; Farber, Benjamin ; Senalik, C. Adam; Ross, Robert J.; Seale, R. Daniel. 2021. Yellow Pine Small Clear Flexural Properties across Five Decades.
• Senalik, Christopher Adam; França, F. J. N.; Seale, R. D.; Ross, Robert J.; Shmulsky, R. . 2020. Estimating lumber properties with acoustic-based technologies Part 1: Modeling acoustic (stress) wave behavior in clear wood and lumber.
• Senalik, Christopher Adam; França, F. J. N.; Seale, R. D.; Ross, Robert J.; Shmulsky, R. . 2020. Estimating lumber properties with acoustic-based technologies Part 2: Ultimate tension stress estimation from time- and frequency-domain parameters.
• Wu, Xi ; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Wacker, James P.; Wang, Xiping ; Li, Guanghui . 2020. Ground-Penetrating Radar Investigation of Salvaged Timber Girders from Bridges Along Route 66 in California.
• Allison, Richard Bruce; Wang, Xiping ; Senalik, Christopher A. 2020. Methods for Nondestructive Testing of Urban Trees.
• As, Nusret ; Senalik, C. Adam; Ross, Robert J.; Wang, Xiping . 2020. Nondestructive evaluation of the tensile properties of structural lumber from the spruce-pine-fir species grouping: relationship between grain angle and energy loss.
• As, Nusret ; Senalik, C. Adam; Ross, Robert J.; Wang, Xiping ; Farber, Benjamin . 2020. Nondestructive evaluation of the tensile properties of structural lumber from the spruce-pine-fir species grouping: relationship between modulus of elasticity and ultimate tension stress.
• Wu, Xi ; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Wacker, James ; Wang, Xiping ; Li, Guanghui . 2020. Object detection of ground-penetrating radar signals using empirical mode decomposition and dynamic time warping.
• Franca, Frederico ; Senalik, C. Adam; Seale, R. Daniel; Ross, Robert R.; Shmulsky, Rubin . 2019. Comparing idealized acoustic wave behavior to that observed in clear wood and lumber.
• Senalik, Christopher Adam; Wacker, James ; Wang, Xiping ; Wu, Xi . 2019. Identifying incipient decay in Douglas-fir bridge components using x-ray computerized tomography.
• As, Nusret ; Ross, Robert J.; Wang, Xiping ; Senalik, Christopher Adam. 2019. Nondestructive evaluation of tensile properties of structural lumber from the spruce-pine-fir species grouping: phase 1 evaluation of modulus of elasticity.
• Wu, Xi; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Wacker, James ; Wang, Xiping ; Li, Guanghui . 2019. Using ground penetrating radar to classify features within structural timbers.
• McDonald, Dwight E.; Begel, Marshall ; Senalik, C. Adam; Williamson, Thomas . 2018. Evaluation of creep performance of structural insulated panels (SIPs): phase 2.
• Ross, Robert J.; Wang, Xiping ; Senalik, C. Adam. 2018. Nondestructive assessment of wood members in a viewing tower in Potawatomi State Park, Door County, Wisconsin, USA.
• Falk, Robert H.; Bridwell, James J.; Senalik, C. Adam; Begel, Marshall. 2018. Residential tornado safe room from commodity wood products impact and wind pressure testing.
• Senalik, C. Adam; Ross, Robert J.; Zelinka, Samuel L.; Lebow, Stan T.; Cai, Zhiyong. 2017. Accelerated aging of preservative-treated structural plywood.
• Senalik, C. Adam; Wacker, James P.; Wang, Xiping ; Rodrigues, Brunella Pollastrelli; Jalinoos, Frank . 2017. Assessing ability of ground-penetrating radar to detect internal moisture and fungal decay in Douglas-fir beams.
• Senalik, C. Adam; Zhou, Lujing ; Ross, Robert J. 2017. Assessment of deterioration in timbers with time and frequency domain analysis techniques.
• Ross, Robert J.; Wang, Xiping; Senalik, C. Adam; Allison, R. Bruce; Zhou, Lujing. 2017. Nondestructive assessment of wood members from a historic viewing tower.
• Senalik, Adam; Wacker, James P.; Hosteng, Travis K.; Hermanson, John. 2017. Smart timber bridge on geosynthetic reinforced soil (GRS) abutments.
• Senalik, Christopher Adam; Wacker, James; Wang, Xiping; Jalinoos, F. 2016. Assessing the Ability of Ground-Penetrating Radar to Detect Fungal Decay in Douglas-Fir Beams.
• Wacker, James P.; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Wang, Xiping; Jalinoos, Frank. 2016. Effectiveness of Several NDE Technologies in Detecting Moisture Pockets and: Artificial Defects in Sawn Timber and Glulam.
• Wang, Xiping; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Ross, Robert; Bennett, Neal; Conner, Debbie. 2016. Effects of cedar oil and silica gel treatment on dimensional stability and mechanical properties of Southern Yellow Pine boards.
• Senalik, Christopher Adam; Ross, Robert J. 2015. Predicting Plywood Properties with Wood-based Composite Models.
• Senalik, Christopher Adam; Ross, Robert J.; DeGroot, Rodney. 2015. Ultrasound Transmission Times in Biologically Deteriorated Wood.
• McDonald, Dwight, E..; Begel, Marshall; Senalik, C. Adam; Ross, Robert; Skaggs, Thomas D.; Yeh, Borjen; Williamson, Thomas. 2014. Creep Behavior of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS): Results from a Pilot Study.
• Senalik, Adam C.; Schueneman, Greg; Ross, Robert J. 2014. Ultrasonic-Based Nondestructive Evaluation Methods for Wood: A Primer and Historical Review.
• Senalik, C. Adam. 2013. Detection and Assessment of Wood Decay in Glulam Beams Using a Decay Rate Approach: A Review.
• McGovern, Megan; Senalik, Adam; Chen, George; Beall, Frank C.; Reis, Henrique. 2013. Effect of Decay on Ultrasonic Velocity and Attenuation Measurements in Wood.

Research Highlights

Highlight	Title	Year
FPL-2017-109	A residential tornado safe room from commodity wood products Forest Service researchers designed a tornado safe room to be constructed from commodity wood building products and adaptable to existing homes.	2017
FPL-2017-102	Assessing the ability of ground-penetrating radar to detect internal moisture and fungal decay Internal moisture and fungal decay are detected in structural bridge members using ground penetrating radar for faster evaluation of timber brid ...	2017
FPL-2018-28	Blast-Resistant Testing for Loaded Mass Timber Structures The ability of cross laminated timbers to resist nearby detonations is verified through blast testing.	2018
FPL-2019-74	Nondestructive Assessment of Wood Members in a Viewing Tower in Potawatomi State Park, Door County, Wisconsin, USA USDA Forest Service scientists assessed the condition of a historic observation tower to determine if it could be enjoyed safely.	2019
FPL-2016-60	Scientists Develop New Tool to Detect Internal Decay in Trees Through collaboration with an industrial partner, the Forest Service’s Forest Products Laboratory helped develop a handheld tool to assist tre ...	2016
FPL-2017-110	Smart timber bridge on geo-synthetic reinforced soil abutments Forest Service researchers partnered in the construction and monitoring of an innovative bridge abutment system, developed to be lower cost and ...	2017