Another bridge crossing idea

[Catch95]

Has anyone tried using a container bolster for a creek crossing? I was wondering about putting it on concrete pads either side of the crossing. The creek bottom is about 10 feet down so the bolster would never come into contact with running water.

Looked into an old railway flatbed but none available in my area.

Bolsters are either 20 or 40 ft long, 7ft 9" inches wide, weigh 5,500 lbs, and can take a load capacity of 23 tons.

Have attached a pic.

My concern would be if the bolster would be weak in the centre - particularly the 40' one.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Mark

 

[RonMar]

It depends. How are they designed to set in normal use. WOuld this deck set only supported by the corner container attach points, or would it set down at several contact points along it's length. I think containers set at the corners, but they have the wall structures to provide support to the deck for this. With the addition of a gussetted truss structure, either above as side rails or below as support, it would probably work. So might an old semi flatbed. They are typically pre-stressed(arched when unloaded) and pretty strong only supported at the hitch and rear axles. So might a whole container be made into a covered bridge