KDOT Standard Specifications Section 2301: Wood Posts

- WOOD POSTS WOOD POSTS

2301.1DESCRIPTION

This specification governs wood posts and spacer blocks for guardrail, and wood sign support posts. This specification does not cover wood fence posts. It es tablishes a quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) and prequalified plant system for producers of wood products.

2301.2REQUIREMENTS

a.General.

(1)Any plant producing wood posts and spacer blocks for guardrail, and wood sign sup port posts through

this specification must be currently prequalified. A plant is any facility that produces the posts as the final treated product. Prequalification requires a thorough inspection by KDOT and comparison testing to verify the plant has the capability to comply with this specification. Procedures for prequalification are outlined in subsection 2301.4.

(2)Unless shown otherwise in the Contract Documents, produce all posts provided under this specification

to meet the applicable subsections.

(3)Quality Assurance insp ection of wood posts and spacer blocks for guardrail; and wood sign support

posts will be done at the job site on a random, project by project basis as outlined in subsection 2301.4e.

(4)Wood species not listed but mee ting or exceeding these specifications will be considered by the Bureau

Chief of Construction and Materials upon written request.

(5)Unless shown otherwise in the Contract Documents, treat material listed under this section with a

preservative treatment in accordance with subsection 2301.2e.

b.Material Specifications and Grading Rules. Comply with the applicable parts of the following:

(1)ASTM D 245.

(2)Standard grading rules as set forth by Southern Pine Inspection Bureau.

(3)Standard grading rules as set forth by Western Wood Products Association.

(4)Product Standard 20 American Softwood Lumber Standard as set forth by the U. S. Department of

Commerce.

(5)Any commercial grading rules that will provide material of equal or greater stress value may also be

used. The burden of proof regarding the equality of the proposed rules lies with the supplier.

(6)Provide materials that are free of decayed wood, rot, red heart, and detrimental compression wood.

(7)Fb defined. Fb is the minimum extreme fiber strength in bending under dry conditions (from grading

rules tables). Specific requirements for each type of product supplied are outlined in the paragraphs below.

c.Guardrail Posts and Spacer Blocks.

(1)Posts and spacer blocks provided under this speci fication are surfaced on four sides (S4S) and complies

with the dimensions and details shown in the Contract Documents.

(2)Unless shown otherwise in the Contract Documents, provide posts and spacer blocks graded No. 1

(posts and timbers – 5 inch X 5 inch and larger), with a minimum extreme fiber strength in bending, F b, of 1200 psi, regardless of species. Sterilize posts and spacer blocks by kiln drying.

d.Sign Support Posts.

(1)Posts provided under this speci fication are S4S and comply with th e dimensions and details shown in

the Contract Documents.

(2)Unless shown otherwise in the Contract Documents, provide posts graded as follows:

Southern Pine: 4 inch X 4 inch, No. 1 Dense, F b = 2000 psi 4 inch X 6 inch, No. 1 Dense, F b = 1750 psi Douglas Fir: 4 inch X 4 inch and 4 inch X 6 inch Select Structural, Base Value Fb = 1450 psi Note: Douglas Fir base value does not include size factors. - WOOD POSTS

e.Preservative Treatment and Handling of Wood Products.

(1)General. Treat all wood products with a wood preservative registered by the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.

(a)Unless shown otherwise in the Contract Documents, treat all wood products provided under

this section to meet the applicable subsections in American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) Standard C14, “Wood for Highway Construction—Preservative Treatment by Pressure Processes”.

(b)Treatment processes not listed but meeting or exceeding this section will be considered by the

Bureau Chief, Construction and Materials, upon written request.

(2)Preservative Types. Use preservatives that comply with AWPA Standard U1, Commodity Section A:

Sawn Products or Commodity Section B: Posts, or AASHTO M 133.

(3)Fabrication. No field fabrication will be permitted, unless shown otherwise in the Contract Documents.

Complete all adzing, boring, chamfering, framing, gaining, incising, surfacing, and trimming prior to treatment.

(4)Treatment Processes.

(a)Use preservative treatments that comply with the latest requirements of AWPA Standard U1,

Commodity Section B: Posts, or AASHTO M 133.

(b)Stamp or tag each treated piece with the plan t identification and minimum specified treatment

recorded in pounds per cubic foot (PCF).

(5)Handling. Load, unload or transfer treated posts and blocks using procedures specified in AWPA M4,

“Standard for the Care of Preservative-Treated Wood Products”.

(6)Shipments. Do not ship treated material while still dripping. Unless kiln dried, retain it in the treatment

yard for a minimum of 3 days. Retain the material in the treatment yard a minimum of 7 days when the ambient temperature remains below 60°F.

(7)Storage.

(a)Place treated wood products on treated or non-decaying skids or cribbing, that are positioned to

support the material to minimize distortion.

(b)Sign Support Posts. Stack and tightly band with spaced layers to permit air flow between each

layer and minimize warping. Banding consists of 1 band for each 4 feet of bundle length, with a maximum spacing of four feet between bands, end bands being not more than 1 foot from the end of the bundles. Place spacers (stickers), a mi nimum of 1/8 inch in thickness, between each horizontal layer of posts at each banding location.

(c)Others. Tightly band all other wood products to minimize warping.

(d)Place the material in an ar ea free of debris, decayed wood, and dry vegetation, and with

sufficient drainage to prevent material from being subjected to standing water.

(8)Damage During Shipment. Damage affecting the structural integrity or utility of the item is cause for

rejection.

2301.3TEST METHODS

Conduct all measurements, visual inspection, and grading for the wood products according to the procedures specified in subsection 2301.2b. For preservative treatment, analysis will be performed as set forth in AWPA Standard A9, “Standard Method for Analysis of Treated Wood and Treating Solutions by X-Ray Spectroscopy”.

2301.4PREQUALIFICATION

a.General.

(1)Contact the Bureau Chief of Construction and Materials to arrange for the required sampling,

observation of testing procedures and review of the plant quality control program.

(2)The plant is to absorb all expenses associated with the inspection by the Engineer’s representative. This

includes travel, subsistence and lodging, and the expenses of shipping any selected specimens to KDOT.

(3)It is the option of the Bureau Chief of Constructio n and Materials to grant prequalified status to a plant

based upon the qualification test and inspection results of transportation agencies of other states.

(4)A plant will be notified in writing in the event of any change in their prequalified status. The Bureau of

Construction and Materials will maintain a list of all plants that are prequalified to provide wood guardrail posts and spacer blocks, and wood sign support posts to KDOT projects. - WOOD POSTS

b.Plant Quality Control Requirements. The plant must have a quality control section identified within its

organization that is adequately staffed to perform the required lot-by-lot testing. The plant laboratory must have proper equipment, calibrated annually according to the requirements of the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations, with which to adequately perform all measurements, visual inspection, and testing related to subsections 2301.2b. and 2301.2e. Provide a copy of the plant quality control plan to the Engineer’s representative during the plant inspection. As a minimum, the plan will include 1) grading procedures and personnel qualifications, 2) treatment procedures and personnel qualifications, 3) record keeping procedures and personnel, 4) copy of plant identification stamp or tag, and 5) notification and resubmittal in the event of any changes to procedures and personnel, or the quality control plan.

c.Sampling and Testing Procedure. The Engineer’s representative will select the test samples, at

random, at the plant. Provide access to all facilities necessary for the Enginee r’s representative to randomly select samples from all bundles/charges as defined below. Samples for grading comparisons will be selected from material “in the white”, and samples for comparison of treatment tes ting will be selected from the finished product. Provide plant personnel to handle and label necessary bundles/charges from the randomly selected samples.

(1)Lot size. All stock within a lot is subject to sa mpling unless exceptions are authorized by the Bureau

Chief of Construction and Materials. Lots are defined separately for “in the white” and finished products:

(a)“In the white.” The lot of wood that is subject to sampling for grading comparison includes all

sizes and grades of material described in this specification that are in stock.

(b)Treated. The lot of wood that is subject to sampling for treatment comparison includes all

finished products of material described in this specification that are in stock.

(2)The lot sample size will be:

(a)10 bundles of “in the white”, and

(b)10 charges of finished product.

(3)Sample preparation. Storage and handling of the products will be evaluated during this phase.

(a)Transport the “in the white” bundles selected by the Engineer’s representative to an area of the

plant that will be suitable for breaking, re-grading, and re-bundling. Provide plant personnel to handle, break and re-bundle the randomly selected samples.

(b)Take borings from the finished product bundles where they are stored. They may need to be

broken open and moved around for sampling access. Take borings of the finished product as described in the AWPA Standard M2, “Standard for Inspection of Wood Products Treated with Preservatives”. Take 20 borings from each of the 10 selected charges of finished product. Assign each sample, consisting of the 20 borings, a unique identification number. Trim all 20 cores and grind as required by the test method. Place each sample in a sealed container and durably affix the sample identification number to each container. Th e sample, or a portion thereof, is tested by the plant. After plant testing is completed, combine th e tested and untested portions of the sample so that comparison testing can be performed by KDOT. Conduct all sample preparation operations in the presence of the Engineer’s representative.

(4)Testing.

(a)All items in each bundle “in the white” will be graded for comparison. Provide the Engineer’s

representative with the plant’s grading for each “in the white” lot sampled for use in this comparison. The Engineer’s representative will grade the test bundles according to the procedures and requirements of the applicable specifi cations and grading rules as referenced in subsection 2301.2b.

(b)Test each sample according to the procedures and requirements of the applicable AWPA

Standard A9. For the purpose of comparing the plant and KDOT testing laboratories, each of the 10 samples is to be tested by each laboratory. Provide all the necessary facilities and test records required by the Engineer’s representative to witness the tests. Record the plant test results onto a KDOT form and sign the form. Provide these results and the remaining companion samples to the Engineer’s representative.

(5)Comparison of Test Results.

(a)KDOT grading results will be compared with the producer’s results for the total of the sampled

lot. The differences between KDOT and producer results may not exceed 5% of the sample total.

(b)KDOT’s treatment testing results will be comp ared to the producer’s results for each sample,

taking into consideration the reproducibility expr essed in the precision table in AWPA Standard A9. None of the samples may fall outside the acceptable range. - WOOD POSTS

(c)A sample that fails the comparison requirements may be re-sampled 1 time only, and on a 2-

for-1 basis (both samples must pass or the entire lot fails). It is preferable that the resample be removed from the same lot that failed if it is still available. The results of the resample specimens will replace the initial test results.

d.Plant Status.

(1)Attainment of prequalified status. In order for a plant to be prequalified to provide wood guardrail posts

and spacer blocks, and wood sign support posts to KDOT pr ojects, comply with the re quirements referenced in subsection 2301.4c. (5).

(2)Renewal of prequalified status. The following schedule will apply to plants that have attained their

initial prequalification status:

(a)One year after the initial prequalification, the plant will again be evaluated according to

subsection 2301.4.

(b)For plants that retain prequalification after the second evaluation, the next evaluation will be

required after a 2-year time interval.

(c)For plants that retain prequalification after the third evaluation, the required evaluation time

interval will be extended to 3 years therea fter provided the plant maintains continuous prequalification and is not disqualified.

(d)A prequalified plant that becomes disqualified may regain prequalified status at the next annual

renewal inspection, but must comply with all the requirements that apply to initial prequalification including the re-inspection schedule outlined above. The disqualified plant may petition for an immediate re-evaluation provided it can be demonstrated that the disqualifying deficiencies have been corrected.

(e)A plant that chooses not to renew it prequalified status, but then later chooses to again

prequalify must comply with all the requirements th at apply to initial prequalification, including the re-inspection schedule outlined above.

(3)Disqualification. All prequalif ied plants that are currently prov iding wood posts for KDOT projects

will have their product quality monitored through the use of verification inspections as described in subsection 2301.4e. Failure of 2 verification samples w ithin 1 year of each other will result in disqualification of the plant and removal from the prequalified source list. In the event of di squalification, the plant is subject to the requirements of subsection 2301.4d.(2)(d). A plant that fails to comply with these re quirements 2 times, consecutive or otherwise, will be permanently disqualified unless an exception is granted by the Bureau Chief of Construction and Materials due to change in ownership, plant management or other significant reorganization.

e.Quality Assurance.

(1)Verification Inspections. During the course of each year, the Wichita Regional Materials Laboratory

will randomly select a minimum of 1 project or contract containing wood posts provided by each of the prequalified plants. The Wichita Regional Materials Laboratory will contact the District administering these projects or contracts for scheduling of the field verification testing. Upon notification of a verification inspection, the Contractor is required to store materials in a manner allowing easy acce ss for inspection and, upon arrival of the Engineer’s representative, provide adequate manpower for the handling and re-stacking of the product.

(2)Verification Testing.

(a)All materials used on the project are considered to be 1 lot and will be subject to both grade

and treatment verification testing. A minimum of 20 randomly selected pieces will be graded. In addition, a single sample, consisting of a single boring from each of the same graded pieces will be treatment tested. Borings will be taken as described in AWPA Standard M2 and tested in accordance with AWPA Standard A9. If the sample fa ils to meet the specifications for grading or treatment, it is cause for rejecting the entire lot.

(b)In the event that the verification samples fa il to comply with the pr eceding, the Engineer’s

representative may randomly resample the lot 1 time only on a 2 to 1 basis, or reject the lot. If the lot is re-sampled, then both samples must pass, or the entire lot is rejected. The results of the resample specimens will replace the initial test results.

(c)The Contractor is to replace the rejected lo t at no additional cost to KDOT. Remove the

rejected lot from the job storage site.

(3)Verification Related Costs. KDOT costs for verifi cation inspection and testing will be borne by KDOT.

Excessive inspections for replacement of rejected material may be charged to the Contractor. - WOOD POSTS

2301.5BASIS OF ACCEPTANCE

a.The plant must be currently prequalified.

b.Provide the Engineer’s representative of the project with a copy of plant test reports that govern the analysis

of the wood post and block lots delivered to the project. Include a report of the preservative treatment analysis for each lot. Mail a copy of the reports to the Wichita Regional Materials Laboratory, Bldg. 1, 3200 E 45 th N, Wichita, KS 67220. Verify that the project number and/or the contract number appear on each report.

c.Provide the Engineer’s representative of the project with shipping orders, an invoice, or cover letter that

documents the project number, wood post and block sizes, job, or producer order numbers, and the total number of each lot of the represented wood posts and blocks delivered to the project.

d.Provide the Engineer’s representative of the project with a certification stating that the wood posts and

blocks delivered to the project comply with this specification, and that the preservative treatment complies with the applicable AWPA standards. This documentation must bear the signature and title of an official of the plant with contract binding authority, and must be notarized. This requirement may be included on the test reports referenced in subsection 2301.5b.

e.As a minimum, wood posts and blocks must be legibly stamped with the lumber grade, producers’

identification, and minimum specified treatment recorded in PCF.

f.The final disposition of the wood posts and blocks will be completed at the final destination as the result of

inspection for the quality of workmanship and the delivery condition and approval of the associated required documentation.

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Source: Standard Specifications for State Road and Bridge Construction, 2015 Edition. Pages 930–934 of 978. View official source ↗

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