 Christopher Adam Senalik | Christopher Adam SenalikEngineering Properties of Wood, Wood Based Materials and StructuresUnit: FPL-4714 Research General Engineer One Gifford Pinchot Drive Madison, WI United States 53726 Phone: 608-231-9309 christopher.a.senalik@usda.gov |
Current Research
Evaluating new nondestructive-evaluation methodologies for assessment of covered timber bridges.Remote monitoring of geotextile reinforced soil integrated bridge systemsEvaluation of new, lightweight bridge superstructures for covered timber bridges.
Research Interest
Nondestructive evaluation of structures.Material characterization.
Past Research
Acousto-Ultrasonic Inspection and Finite Difference Time Domain SimulationDetection and Assessment of Wood Decay – Glulam Beams and Wooden Utility Poles
Research Importance
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
- Research General Engineer, Forest Products Laboratory 2013 - Current Testing and analysis of experimental lightweight sawn timber and glue laminated (glulam) bridge decks. Evaluating the effectiveness of nondestructive testing tools traditionally used on concrete and steel to assess wood structure.
- Project Advisor, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 2013 - 2013 Project advisor for the design group which designed a countertop ironing board which reduced production cost by over 45%.
- Teaching Assistant, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 2006 - 2012 Provided instruction in the areas of control systems, statistical analysis, and instrumentation and testing of material properties.
- Forensic Engineer, Ruhl Forensic, Inc. 1998 - 2005 Responded 24/7/365 for forensic inspections nationwide. Provided results of findings as reports and courtroom testimony.
- Project Advisor, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 2001 - 2001 Project advisor for design group with designed new in-line industrial water gun which reused over 30% of parts from their existing production lines.
- Research Assistant, U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Lab, Champaign, IL 1997 - 1999 Constructed test plan for experimental water abatement systems.
Below are the 44 US Forest Service publications sorted by year. You may re-sort the list by: Title, Date Posted, Category, Publication or Year.
| Publication Year: 2019 | |
 Highlight ID: 1326 | Nondestructive Assessment of Wood Members in a Viewing Tower in Potawatomi State Park, Door County, Wisconsin, USA The condition of a historic observation tower was assessed to determine if it could be enjoyed safely. ... |
| Publication Year: 2018 | |
 Highlight ID: 1318 | Blast-Resistant Testing for Loaded Mass Timber Structures The ability of cross laminated timbers to resist nearby detonations is verified through blast testing. ... |
| Publication Year: 2017 | |
 Highlight ID: 1280 | 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. ... |
 Highlight ID: 1285 | 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 bridges. ... |
 Highlight ID: 1281 | 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 faster to construct with improved performance and durability as compared to other abutments. In addition, ... |
| Publication Year: 2016 | |
 Highlight ID: 655 | 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 tree inspectors with detecting internal decay in standing trees. ... |
| Title | Date Posted |
|---|---|
 Salvaging an American Icon with Ground-Penetrating Radar
Two Route 66 signs on the road at California Mojave desert highway – By AR Pictures
Imagine being able to look straight into a wood beam and know its structural integrity.
It’s almost like a super power, except its really just amazing science—science that Forest Products Laboratory (FPL... | 04-14-2020 |
 2015 Director's Awards PresentedMichael T. Rains, Director of the Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) and Northern Research Station (NRS), today presented the 2015 Director’s Awards to 10 exceptional employees furthering scientific advancement at the two research facilities. Rains praised the honorees for their impacts and contribu... | 05-27-2015 |
 Ultrasonic Based Nondestructive Evaluation Methods for Wood:With the recent compilation of 50 years of the NDT International Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation of Wood Symposium Series, the recently published Ultrasonic Based Nondestructive Evaluation Methods for Wood: A Primer and Historical Review examines how the nondestructive testing of wood in all o... | 12-19-2014 |