Christopher Adam Senalik
Research General Engineer
Engineering Properties of Wood, Wood Based Materials and Structures
One Gifford Pinchot Drive
Madison, WI 53726
United States
Madison, WI 53726
United States
Phone
608-231-9309
Current Research
Evaluating new nondestructive-evaluation methodologies for assessment of covered timber bridges.
Remote monitoring of geotextile reinforced soil integrated bridge systems
Evaluation of new, lightweight bridge superstructures for covered timber bridges.
Past Research
Acousto-Ultrasonic Inspection and Finite Difference Time Domain Simulation
Detection and Assessment of Wood Decay – Glulam Beams and Wooden Utility Poles
Research Interest
Nondestructive evaluation of structures.
Material characterization.
Why This Research Is Important
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
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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.
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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%.
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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.
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Forensic Engineer,
Ruhl Forensic, Inc.,
1998 -
2005
Responded 24/7/365 for forensic inspections nationwide. Provided results of findings as reports and courtroom testimony.
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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.
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Research Assistant,
U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Lab, Champaign, IL,
1997 -
1999
Constructed test plan for experimental water abatement systems.
Other Publications
- Correa, Laurice Mara Spinelli; Franca, Frederica Jose Nistal; Shmulsky, Rubin; Seale, R. Daniel; Ross, Robert; Senalik, Christopher Adam. 2022. Evaluation of Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rupture of Cross-Laminated Timber with Longitudinal Vibration NDE Techniques
- Kirker, Grant T.; Wang, Xiping; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Storer, Andrew; Xie, Xinfeng; Kamprath, Nathan; York, Keith; Ross, Robert. 2022. Research opportunities in the tropics: summary of 2019 evaluation of test sites in Panama and Suriname
- Ross, Robert; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Shmulsky, Rubin; Brashaw, Brian. 2021. Development of Field Inspection Practices for Wood Structures on Fire-Prone Lands: Application of State-of-the-Art Condition Assessment Techniques
- Shmulsky, Rubin ; França, Frederico José Nistal; Ratcliff, J. Tedrick; Farber, Benjamin ; Senalik, C. Adam; Ross, Robert J.; Seale, R. Daniel.. 2021. Compression Properties of Small Clear Southern Yellow Pine Specimens Tested across Five Decades
- Rodrigues, Brunela Pollastrelli; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Wu, Xi ; Wacker, James. 2021. Use of Ground Penetrating Radar in the Evaluation of Wood Structures: A Review
- Franca, Frederico Jose Nistal; Shmulsky, Rubin; Ratcliff, Tedrick; Farber, Benjamin; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Ross, Robert; Seale, R. Daniel. 2021. Interrelationships of Specific Gravity, Stiffness, and Strength of Yellow Pine across Five Decades
- França, Frederico José Nistal; Shmulsky, Rubin ; Ratcliff, J. Tedrick; Farber, Benjamin ; Senalik, C. Adam; Ross, Robert J.; Seale, R. Daniel.. 2021. Yellow Pine Small Clear Flexural Properties across Five Decades
- Senalik, Christopher Adam; França, F. J. N.; Seale, R. D.; Ross, Robert J.; Shmulsky, R.. 2020. Estimating lumber properties with acoustic-based technologies Part 2: Ultimate tension stress estimation from time- and frequency-domain parameters
- Senalik, Christopher Adam; França, F. J. N.; Seale, R. D.; Ross, Robert J.; Shmulsky, R.. 2020. Estimating lumber properties with acoustic-based technologies Part 1: Modeling acoustic (stress) wave behavior in clear wood and lumber
- Farber, Benjamin; Senalik, Christopher Adam. 2021. Calculating strength ratio and grade quality index of dimensional lumber using ASTM D4761 and ASTM D245
- Allison, Richard Bruce; Wang, Xiping ; Senalik, Christopher A.. 2020. Methods for Nondestructive Testing of Urban Trees
- Cai, Zhiyong; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Ross, Robert. 2021. Mechanical properties of wood-based composite materials
- Senalik, Christopher Adam; Farber, Benjamin. 2021. Stress grades and design properties for lumber, round timber, and ties
- Senalik, Christopher Adam; Farber, Benjamin. 2021. Commercial lumber, round timbers, and ties
- Senalik, Christopher Adam; Farber, Benjamin. 2021. Mechanical properties of wood
- As, Nusret ; Senalik, C. Adam; Ross, Robert J.; Wang, Xiping ; Farber, Benjamin. 2020. Nondestructive evaluation of the tensile properties of structural lumber from the spruce-pine-fir species grouping: relationship between modulus of elasticity and ultimate tension stress
- As, Nusret ; Senalik, C. Adam; Ross, Robert J.; Wang, Xiping. 2020. Nondestructive evaluation of the tensile properties of structural lumber from the spruce-pine-fir species grouping: relationship between grain angle and energy loss
- Wu, Xi ; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Wacker, James P.; Wang, Xiping ; Li, Guanghui. 2020. Ground-Penetrating Radar Investigation of Salvaged Timber Girders from Bridges Along Route 66 in California
- Wu, Xi ; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Wacker, James ; Wang, Xiping ; Li, Guanghui. 2020. Object detection of ground-penetrating radar signals using empirical mode decomposition and dynamic time warping
- Franca, Frederico ; Senalik, C. Adam; Seale, R. Daniel; Ross, Robert R.; Shmulsky, Rubin. 2019. Comparing idealized acoustic wave behavior to that observed in clear wood and lumber
- Wu, Xi; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Wacker, James ; Wang, Xiping ; Li, Guanghui. 2019. Using ground penetrating radar to classify features within structural timbers
- Senalik, Christopher Adam; Wacker, James ; Wang, Xiping ; Wu, Xi. 2019. Identifying incipient decay in Douglas-fir bridge components using x-ray computerized tomography
- As, Nusret ; Ross, Robert J.; Wang, Xiping ; Senalik, Christopher Adam.. 2019. Nondestructive evaluation of tensile properties of structural lumber from the spruce-pine-fir species grouping: phase 1 evaluation of modulus of elasticity
- Senalik, C. Adam; Zhou, Lujing ; Ross, Robert J.. 2017. Assessment of deterioration in timbers with time and frequency domain analysis techniques
- Ross, Robert J.; Wang, Xiping ; Senalik, C. Adam.. 2018. Nondestructive assessment of wood members in a viewing tower in Potawatomi State Park, Door County, Wisconsin, USA
- McDonald, Dwight E.; Begel, Marshall ; Senalik, C. Adam; Williamson, Thomas. 2018. Evaluation of creep performance of structural insulated panels (SIPs): phase 2
- Senalik, C. Adam; Wacker, James P.; Wang, Xiping ; Rodrigues, Brunella Pollastrelli; Jalinoos, Frank. 2017. Assessing ability of ground-penetrating radar to detect internal moisture and fungal decay in Douglas-fir beams
- Falk, Robert H.; Bridwell, James J.; Senalik, C. Adam; Begel, Marshall. 2018. Residential tornado safe room from commodity wood products impact and wind pressure testing
- Senalik, Adam; Wacker, James P.; Hosteng, Travis K.; Hermanson, John. 2017. Smart timber bridge on geosynthetic reinforced soil (GRS) abutments
- Ross, Robert J.; Wang, Xiping; Senalik, C. Adam; Allison, R. Bruce; Zhou, Lujing. 2017. Nondestructive assessment of wood members from a historic viewing tower
- Senalik, C. Adam; Ross, Robert J.; Zelinka, Samuel L.; Lebow, Stan T.; Cai, Zhiyong. 2017. Accelerated aging of preservative-treated structural plywood
- Wang, Xiping; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Ross, Robert; Bennett, Neal; Conner, Debbie. 2016. Effects of cedar oil and silica gel treatment on dimensional stability and mechanical properties of Southern Yellow Pine boards
- Wacker, James P.; Senalik, Christopher Adam; Wang, Xiping; Jalinoos, Frank. 2016. Effectiveness of Several NDE Technologies in Detecting Moisture Pockets and: Artificial Defects in Sawn Timber and Glulam
- Senalik, Christopher Adam; Wacker, James; Wang, Xiping; Jalinoos, F.. 2016. Assessing the Ability of Ground-Penetrating Radar to Detect Fungal Decay in Douglas-Fir Beams
- Senalik, Christopher Adam; Ross, Robert J.. 2015. Predicting Plywood Properties with Wood-based Composite Models
- Senalik, Christopher Adam; Ross, Robert J.; DeGroot, Rodney. 2015. Ultrasound Transmission Times in Biologically Deteriorated Wood
- McDonald, Dwight, E..; Begel, Marshall; Senalik, C. Adam; Ross, Robert; Skaggs, Thomas D.; Yeh, Borjen; Williamson, Thomas. 2014. Creep Behavior of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS): Results from a Pilot Study
- Senalik, Adam C.; Schueneman, Greg; Ross, Robert J.. 2014. Ultrasonic-Based Nondestructive Evaluation Methods for Wood: A Primer and Historical Review
- McGovern, Megan; Senalik, Adam; Chen, George; Beall, Frank C.; Reis, Henrique. 2013. Effect of Decay on Ultrasonic Velocity and Attenuation Measurements in Wood
- Senalik, C. Adam. 2013. Detection and Assessment of Wood Decay in Glulam Beams Using a Decay Rate Approach: A Review
Research Highlights
Nondestructive Assessment of Wood Members in a Viewing Tower in Potawatomi State Park, Door County, Wisconsin, USA
Year: 2019
USDA Forest Service scientists assessed the condition of a historic observation tower to determine if it could be enjoyed safely.
Blast-Resistant Testing for Loaded Mass Timber Structures
Year: 2018
The ability of cross laminated timbers to resist nearby detonations is verified through blast testing.
Assessing the ability of ground-penetrating radar to detect internal moisture and fungal decay
Year: 2017
Internal moisture and fungal decay are detected in structural bridge members using ground penetrating radar for faster evaluation of timber bridges.
Smart timber bridge on geo-synthetic reinforced soil abutments
Year: 2017
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, the next generation of smart bridge concepts for ...
A residential tornado safe room from commodity wood products
Year: 2017
Forest Service researchers designed a tornado safe room to be constructed from commodity wood building products and adaptable to existing homes.
Scientists Develop New Tool to Detect Internal Decay in Trees
Year: 2016
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.