The technical aspects of using timber in the construction of forest roads

Abstract

This study is on the ecological aspects and interest of the State Forest National Forests Holding (SF) units in reinforcing the ground subgrade by using timber raft construction and brushwood mattresses in forest road construction. The aim of the study was to analyse the technical parameters of forest roads made on a ground subgrade reinforced with timber raft construction and brushwood mattresses. As part of the research, the scope of SF units' application of technological solutions and the parameters of existing forest district roads made on a timber substructure were determined. A road with reference sections using different variants of subgrade reinforced with timbers logs (oak, pine) and brushwood mattresses were studied. The technical parameters of features ensuring usability, such as, among others, the bearing capacity of the pavement, were selected for the analysis. The ability of the tested pavements to support vehicle axle loads was determined based on the deflection of the surface as well as the primary (MEI) and secondary (MEII) deformation modulus with a calculated deformation indicator (I0). The deformation modulus ME of the pavement and road subgrade were determined using a VSS plate with a diameter of 300 mm. It indicated a large range of results of secondary deformation of surfaces using timber raft construction (107-204 MN·m-2) and brushwood mattresses (26-58 MN·m-2), which are dependent mainly on the diameter of the logs used, their arrangement and the road fill used.