Bridge Load Limit

[cwbyeng1300]

Just tell him to close his eyes & go real fast!

 

[redheelerdog]

Do you know of anyone who knows anyone who is a good engineer?

Pretty simple build and a good engineer could give you a ballpark fairly easy. (not PE stamped) but you could still get a close idea.

If you PM me a list of structure components with dimensions and spans (a good pencil drawing would be perfect) I could have some of my mechanical engineer colleagues give you a back of napkin calculation.

 

[Jw5875]

Thank You redheelerdog,
I respect the drivers decision, and would like to have something to give to him in regards to limit etc.
Trying to explain rolling load (driving over it) vs static load (parking on it)
Sent you a PM.

Again Thanks,

JW5875

 

[Ken45101]

Here are a couple of bridge design pages from various state highway commissions and railroads

Timber Bridges
Concrete Bridges

 

[fried1765]

Here are a couple of bridge design pages from various state highway commissions and railroads

Timber Bridges
Concrete Bridges

I am a former Civil engineer (non practicing), and never dealt specifically with small bridge construction.
I am on the side of your "current driver".
From your photos, I absolutely would not take a fully loaded tri-axle dump over that bridge.

 

[Peter 315]

Its to much risk if it collapses and any fuel gets in the water....... BIG trouble.......

 

[Redlands Okie]

With the comments being posted you might just want to toss down a tin horn (culvert) next to it and dump the first load of gravel on it for the truck crossing. Then move the gravel to where you need it when the truck has finished all of the loads. Assuming there is several loads. To bad the company you have already dealt with that crossed it in worse condition is not available.

 

[redheelerdog]

Change it to a draw bridge and put some big alligators down in there like a moat of doom, people won't bother you then. :thumbsup:

 

[fried1765]

Change it to a draw bridge and put some big alligators down in there like a moat of doom, people won't bother you then. :thumbsup:

The OP lives in NW PA.
Alligators do not do well that far North!

 

[redheelerdog]

The OP lives in NW PA.
Alligators do not do well that far North!

Fill it with hungry :licking: angry bears then, maybe some life size plastic alligators.