Forest Products Laboratory

Caring for the land and serving people

United States Department of Agriculture

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Forest Products Laboratory
One Gifford Pinchot Drive
Madison, WI 53726-2398
Phone: (608) 231-9200
Fax: (608) 231-9592
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Nondestructive Assessment of Wood Members in a Viewing Tower in Potawatomi State Park, Door County, Wisconsin, USA

Potawatomi State Park observation tower. USDA Forest Service

Snapshot: The condition of a historic observation tower was assessed to determine if it could be enjoyed safely.

*Summary:* The State of Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources is responsible for operating one of the largest state park systems in the United States. Potawatomi State Park, located on the Door County peninsula, consists of about 1,200 acres of flat to gently rolling upland terrain bordered by steep slopes and rugged limestone cliffs along Lake Michigan's shoreline. A 75-ft observation tower sits atop a 150-ft bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. Researchers were asked to conduct an assessment of the main support timbers of the tower. This report summarizes the results obtained from the inspection and assessment. It includes a brief summary of the nondestructive testing techniques that were used, observations, data from tests conducted on the timbers, and recommendations.	*Princpal Investigator(s):* Ross, Robert J. Wang, Xiping Senalik, Christopher Adam *Research Location:* Potawatomi State Park *External Partners:* State of Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources *Fiscal Year:* 2019 *Highlight ID:* 1326

*Related Research Emphasis Areas:* Advanced Structures

*Resources:* Nondestructive assessment of wood members in a viewing tower in Potawatomi State Park, Door County, Wisconsin, USA (publication)

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