Examples of Past Projects

Wood stave pipe supplying water to a mill.

Testing a wood stave pipeline about 10 kilometres long and two metres in diameter. The pipe was constructed of double tongue and grooved 2×6 planks, strapped in steel bands. A testing protocol was devised to sample the pipe systematically along its length and around the circumference. Seen here is a sample of the data showing conditions around one test location.

Testing Totem Poles

Totem poles are unique structures and require very careful handling. In this example we are testing the totem pole at Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Working with skilled conservators we treat each structure as a one off project since they are always so variable.

By carefully locating areas of decayed or solid wood we provide the conservator with detailed information about overall conditions of each pole. That is then used to devise the most effective approach for ongoing retention.

Testing Engelmann Spruce logs supporting a cable stayed house

The client had an award winning building cantilevered over a hillside from four large spruce posts. The assignment was to thoroughly check the posts, and other timber members, and map out areas of decayed wood. That data was then used by the engineering team to devise options for repair, or replacement of all, or parts of the structure.

A comprehensive sampling strategy was designed so that decay areas could be mapped in vertical and horizontal planes.

The Kinsol Trestle

Dunster & Associates was retained to train engineers and conservation crews how to test the timbers for decay. Learning how to sound the timbers, and then deciding the best testing point is an important skill that helped to expedite the entire process of testing thousands of timber and connection points.

Timber bridge testing

Dunster & Associates was retained to test the structural integrity of the structural wood components on this bridge. We sampled many different parts, including the below water piers (during a spring tide) to produce a comprehensive assessment of timber conditions. The structural engineers then worked with that data to design a repair and / or replacement schedule for the entire bridge.