Building a bridge over a creek (driveway)

[Beltzington]

Does anyone know if this would be strong enough for a single axle dump truck full of gravel?

This pdf on agricultural bridge design should answer most of your questions. My plan was to use a flat rack cargo container to span a 24' deep gully, surprisingly they are relatively inexpensive. I was quoted $2800 for a 40' rack delivered. Your only problem will be moving it across the creek. Good luck.

https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/AL/BridgeDesignGuide.pdf

 

[oosik]

A short and not so sweet story. Fellow about forty miles down the road built a short - 32 feet, I think - bridge across a small creek on new driveway to his house. Old driveway got plowed right into the wheat field.

Last year he had a grain dust explosion and fire in two of his grain storage elevators. Fire department came to the scene and determined the bridge WOULD NOT support either the tanker or pumper. Farmer lost the two elevators and the stored grain. No doubt they would have been a total loss - even if the fire dept had been able to get there. They are usually there just to prevent spread to adjacent buildings and lands. Grain elevator fires are generally EXCEEDINGLY hot and fire dept will normally just ensure the fire does not spread.

However - because the fire dept could not get to the fire - the insurance would not pay for any of the loss.

Looking for any reason not to pay?? I'd be looking for a new carrier.

I know the fire chief in the adjoining county well - - that's where I heard the story.


If the bridge you are building is on the only access to your property and home - think about this little story.

 

[beeforty]

A short and not so sweet story. Fellow about forty miles down the road built a short - 32 feet, I think - bridge across a small creek on new driveway to his house. Old driveway got plowed right into the wheat field.

Last year he had a grain dust explosion and fire in two of his grain storage elevators. Fire department came to the scene and determined the bridge WOULD NOT support either the tanker or pumper. Farmer lost the two elevators and the stored grain. No doubt they would have been a total loss - even if the fire dept had been able to get there. They are usually there just to prevent spread to adjacent buildings and lands. Grain elevator fires are generally EXCEEDINGLY hot and fire dept will normally just ensure the fire does not spread.

However - because the fire dept could not get to the fire - the insurance would not pay for any of the loss.

Looking for any reason not to pay?? I'd be looking for a new carrier.

I know the fire chief in the adjoining county well - - that's where I heard the story.


If the bridge you are building is on the only access to your property and home - think about this little story.

I had a neighbor that had the same thing happen to him. Only his bridge was on the board at the local fire house as DO NOT CROSS! it was a rickety old log bridge with bad planking that I would be wary of walking across in the dark. The house caught fire, they pulled the engines up to the end of the bridge and started dragging hose out as there was no other access and the house had a large grassy area that went up hill into the woods. House was a total loss, never heard if they got any insurance money as the old man who owned the property shortly thereafter died and the 2 sons bickered over the estate for about 4 years before selling the property with no house or bridge. I know when I put my own bridge in back in 1986, the fire department set the load requirements, because if they loose a piece of equipment, they'll be busy making sure they take care of their personnel before they get around to fighting your house fire. Can't fault the insurance company for you being too cheap to meet the minimum standards if they are in existence. I got lucky and the state was replacing a state 2 lane bridge and got 3 x 48' x 30" I-beams for only $2500.00. Engineered bridges are designed to a federal highway spec the takes into account the various axle spread combinations that exist as well as weights.

 

[EddieWalker]

Great thread with a lot of good information!!!

 

[Kioti DK45]

YOU could put a 45ft semi trailer. they are rated for 50,000 in the center of the trailer.

 

[Renze]

YOU could put a 45ft semi trailer. they are rated for 50,000 in the center of the trailer.

...supported by axles and 5th wheel kingpin, both at least 2 to 3 yards from the ends. So thats where you need to support the bridge too, to use its rated capacity.

Furthermore, you will need a heavy duty open flatbed trailer for that, intended for heavy pointloads. Enclosed box trailers have a much lighter chassis because the upper structure adds rigidity to the trailer, as well as they are designed for evenly spread loads, not pointloads.

 

[LD1]

Enclosed box trailers have a much lighter chassis because the upper structure adds rigidity to the trailer, as well as they are designed for evenly spread loads, not pointloads.

Agree with the first part.

Too many people think that a box trailer is just a flat bed with sides and top and it is NOT. Cut the sides off and the trailer will buckle even with a light load.

But they ARE designed for point loads.....forklifts with a load on can easily have 12-13k+ over just the SMALL front axle