Bridge#2

[Transit]

Ordered my I-beams today (should be here tomorrow). 2- 25 footer's and 2 ten's. They are structural steel beams. They are rated to support 4,000 pounds each in the center. I had the pro's to figure it for me, so there would be "less" drama. (hopefully). I still welcome any feedback from any, and all peeps. The numbers are...W 10" X 22# A-36 STRUCTURAL STEEL BEAM, 10.17" Height X .240" Web x 5.75" Flange Yard. Weight... = 550 pounds apiece. My metal guy knows his s#@t.

Now you are using your head. That 4,000 Lbs, is that the total Gross load or the Live load, tractor, you and a 6 pack? What about the safety factor, how much over weight to make it break?

 

[Transit]

Some drilling, but I plan on putting wood runners in between the I-beams.

Be very, very careful where you put holes. A hole in the wrong place will %$#@&& the steel and down you go. Welding would be a better choice.

Something to think about. The bottom flange is in tension and the top is in compression. Where the Web meets the flange is in sheer, the two trying to slide past each other. You may drill a hole up to 1/3 the distance up/down from the center of the web. Again, safer to weld.

 

[buggyman1]

Now you are using your head. That 4,000 Lbs, is that the total Gross load or the Live load, tractor, you and a 6 pack? What about the safety factor, how much over weight to make it break?

Thats 4,000 lbs each, gross, plus the supports in the middle will make it stronger yet.

 

[sld]

Crap, here we go again.

 

[buggyman1]

Be very, very careful where you put holes. A hole in the wrong place will %$#@&& the steel and down you go. Welding would be a better choice.

Something to think about. The bottom flange is in tension and the top is in compression. Where the Web meets the flange is in sheer, the two trying to slide past each other. You may drill a hole up to 1/3 the distance up/down from the center of the web. Again, safer to weld.

I have to disagree with you on the welding. I am a welder, and have the means to weld it (mig, stick, or tig... i have all three). It would have been so much easier to weld it vs. drilling 3/4" holes (bunches of them). I talked with professional iron-workers, as well as engineers at work, and my steel supplier, and all three told me the same (which was what I thought) that properly welding them, the heat would weaken the beams more than drilling and bolting them. I personaly think welding them would have been fine (as did they) but bolting them was..is stronger. Tractor, me, and a 12 pack are more worried about running off the side. I'm not saying you're wrong, and I like your input, you keep me on my toes.

 

[buggyman1]

Crap, here we go again.

Sorry...but i really don't mind a critic. They, he... has good ideas, and if just one thing i've overlooked, someone catches it, its better for all of us. I think we all know my little tractor will be fine on this bridge, but if anyone's input can make someones project better, stronger, easier....let them speak.

 

[Transit]

Sid, if something goes wrong, boggyman's family goes to a funeral. What do you lose? You are quite caviler with some ones else's life.

 

[Transit]

I have to disagree with you on the welding. I am a welder, and have the means to weld it (mig, stick, or tig... i have all three). It would have been so much easier to weld it vs. drilling 3/4" holes (bunches of them). I talked with professional iron-workers, as well as engineers at work, and my steel supplier, and all three told me the same (which was what I thought) that properly welding them, the heat would weaken the beams more than drilling and bolting them. I personaly think welding them would have been fine (as did they) but bolting them was..is stronger. Tractor, me, and a 12 pack are more worried about running off the side. I'm not saying you're wrong, and I like your input, you keep me on my toes.

When you drill a hole in a member and load that component, say in tension the force per unit area on the average doesn't change all that much. However close to that hole the force per unit area increases dramatically and may excide the strength of that metal and start a crack. Over time that crack will grow. The size, location and number of holes matters, it's a big deal subject in any civil engineering training course, as is metal fatigue. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[sld]

I can't help myself here, but.............

Chicken Little is back.

 

[foggy1111]

I sold aluminum to semi trailer companies for years. A riveted trailer is a much better trailer than a welded trailer IMHO. Both can work (with good planning and engineering) but a riveted (or bolted) assembly is better in my book. Most of the old bridges you see were riveted together to provide a stress free joint. Welds can crack due to stress loads.

Having said that.....I would not hesitate to weld a bridge....just check it every now and again. My .02 cents.

 

[buggyman1]

One of my dogs (Pepper) walked across the bridge today, so I know its safe. Her sister (Salt) wussed-out and went under. I wish i'd had my camara with me. I was amazed to see her walking across the I-beam with one foot on it, and the other on the 4x4. Its over six feet off the ground in the center, she was brave. I got the first 5 planks down today (with the shims in place) and it looks like everything's going to work out. I used hard rubber belting material for the 1/8" shims, and it worked great (Bud approved... my boss...pic attached). He is the man. We have four dogs, and one cat for those who are counting..lol... they are all mutts...the best kind.

 

[buggyman1]

Leave the 1/8" alone - that will be your crown so the water rolls off!

You're prob. right...but...I can't stand to look at the curve.

 

[buggyman1]

That treated lumber will shrink as it dries out over the next few months. I'll bet the 1/8" will be gone by then. You could get rolls of the rubber/tar window flashing they use for building houses and roll that on top of the beams to save time if you think the wood won't shrink. It would be good protection for the beams anyway. The builders used that on my pole barn for every area steel was going to contact the treated boards (along the skirt, up posts, etc). The bridge looks great. Can't wait to see it when it's done.

Thanks for the idea.

 

[jimmyj]

For the record, your shop / garage is way too tidy!

Nice looking dog!

 

[wedge40]

For the record, your shop / garage is way too tidy!

Nice looking dog!

I was going to say the same thing.. I've been in dirtier restaurants. I would say instead of building bridges he needs a few more toys.
Hope I can keep my barn looking half that good.
Love the thread.. Can't wait to see the bridge done.. I was going to look for bridge one thread, but haven't taken the time.

Edit. Found bridge one.. Nice, very stout, even though a civil engineer didn't design, I'd drive my car over anyday. The again I've driven my car over 100 year old covered bridges before. Not sure how many of THOSE were designed by engineers.
Keep us posted on the progress. If you need to keep your bridge building sharp I have a ravine that could use a bridge to handle about 10,000#.

Wedge

 

[buggyman1]

For the record, your shop / garage is way too tidy!

Nice looking dog!

You should see it during, and after a project. It takes longer to clean up than the project took to build.

 

[buggyman1]

I was going to say the same thing.. I've been in dirtier restaurants. I would say instead of building bridges he needs a few more toys.
Hope I can keep my barn looking half that good.
Love the thread.. Can't wait to see the bridge done.. I was going to look for bridge one thread, but haven't taken the time.

Edit. Found bridge one.. Nice, very stout, even though a civil engineer didn't design, I'd drive my car over anyday. The again I've driven my car over 100 year old covered bridges before. Not sure how many of THOSE were designed by engineers.
Keep us posted on the progress. If you need to keep your bridge building sharp I have a ravine that could use a bridge to handle about 10,000#.

Wedge

Man, i've got way better pics of the garage when it used to be clean (like when it was first finished). I know its messy now, but like i said...I been kinda busy with the bridges. All my friends make fun of me about the shop, but you should see it now...its a mess. As for the toys...i'm still a kid at heart. Thanks for looking-up B-1. I'm kinda proud of my first. Your ravine...no problem, if I can talk a good engineer into helping me...i'm in transit to your local.

 

[foggy1111]

I have read both threads on your bridge projects. Very nice work....and I'm sure they will hold up just fine. Good common sense solutions....and quite overbuilt....as it should be.

I have about 80 feet of swamp I would like to cross one day....to connect two high and dry points for better access to my land. I like the "piers" you have made and I'm taking those in consideration for my build one day. Possibly two flatbed semi trailers would make a good bridge for me....with one of those piers in the center to tie the ends of the trailers together. (??) Just thinking. Or possibly the dolly pads resting on concrete and the noses tied together...hmmmmm

Keep up the good work (and posts)....you provide much food for thought.

 

[BlacknTan]

One of my dogs (Pepper) walked across the bridge today, so I know its safe. Her sister (Salt) wussed-out and went under. I wish i'd had my camara with me. I was amazed to see her walking across the I-beam with one foot on it, and the other on the 4x4. Its over six feet off the ground in the center, she was brave. I got the first 5 planks down today (with the shims in place) and it looks like everything's going to work out. I used hard rubber belting material for the 1/8" shims, and it worked great (Bud approved... my boss...pic attached). He is the man. We have four dogs, and one cat for those who are counting..lol... they are all mutts...the best kind.

If Pepper trusts it, it must be good!

He looks likie a smart boy!

Now for the "Cat scan"... LOL

 

[SuperDuty335]

Transit, if you had only seen some of the ATV bridges we built as kids you would mess yourself! Some of these things were 20'+ in length and up to 5' off the ground. Yes, we were crazy.