Building a bridge

[buggyman1]

The bridge is done. It rained on me all day, but I worked anyway. Sorry for the crappy pic, i'll post some better one's when the weather clears. I still need to add more gravel and re-mud the grout lines, and I am going to grade it in better. This has been a really fun project. I have another bridge to build that has a longer span (about 30')...I'm going to use I-beams on it...should be interesting

 

[buggyman1]

Is this the one?

Thanks for the link.

 

[buggyman1]

Yep, that's the one.

Ken

Thanks ksimolo

 

[buggyman1]

I've got a little bridge project I've been wanting to do. thanks for the pics.

Thanks for your reply

 

[buggyman1]

That is a nice looking bridge. If you don't mind my asking, about how much money is invested in the materials?

Way more than I wanted to spend. The 6x6's alone were $66.00 a piece. I already had a lot of the treated wood, and some of the concrete... I'd guess about 2 g's...maybe more. I will say...it was well worth it.

 

[buggyman1]

Nice bridge!

You really did a great job on it, and it sure looks strong

Thanks.

 

[Transit]

Buggyman1, I still have a qezzy felling about your bridge. I know you pride yourself in your craftmenship. But how did you come up with the structial plains? Where is the engineering? It takes more then a stout beam to make a bridge. I don't want to be reading about you being pined beneath your tractor because the bridge failed. Not envious.

Why a simple beam vs an A frame?

 

[buggyman1]

Here's some better pics of the bridge almost finished.

 

[buggyman1]

Buggyman1, I still have a qezzy felling about your bridge. I know you pride yourself in your craftmenship. But how did you come up with the structial plains? Where is the engineering? It takes more then a stout beam to make a bridge. I don't want to be reading about you being pined beneath your tractor because the bridge failed. Not envious.

Why a simple beam vs an A frame?

Thanks for your concern. As I said before I think I over-engineered it. It has 4 6x6's and 4 supports, my little tractor isn't going to break it. I went for the "simple beam" mostly for looks and ease to build. I think maybe the 4x4's on the sides makes it look weak, they are not supporting anything but the rails. I tested the Kubota on 2 6x6's (with the backhoe on) and they held-up fine (not across the bridge). I'm not sure i've seen an A frame bridge, have any pictures of one?

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Here's some better pics of the bridge almost finished.

Really looks great!

Yes that looks like a fun project... I like the picture showing the landscape in the background, and it looks like a great place to hunt

This bridge should help you with the other one you need to build.

Kentucky has really had a lot of rain & some bad storms this spring.

From the looks of the picture you must live in Central KY.... I live in Eastern KY & across the river is West Virginia.

I have really enjoyed this thread!

Are you going to have another thread on your other bridge ?

 

[Transit]

Thanks for your concern. As I said before I think I over-engineered it. It has 4 6x6's and 4 supports, my little tractor isn't going to break it. I went for the "simple beam" mostly for looks and ease to build. I think maybe the 4x4's on the sides makes it look weak, they are not supporting anything but the rails. I tested the Kubota on 2 6x6's (with the backhoe on) and they held-up fine (not across the bridge). I'm not sure i've seen an A frame bridge, have any pictures of one?

This should give you some idea of the complexity of building a simple bridge.

Panoramio - Photo of 'A' Frame Bridge Over Gorge-Old Man's Cave

Bridge-Masters.com | Trestles, Bridges & Portals for the Garden Railway

http://science.howstuffworks.com/bridge2.htm

 

[johng52]

Bridge-Masters.com | Trestles, Bridges & Portals for the Garden Railway

I opened that link and immediately thought of Jimmy Stewarts' expression in "The Flight Of The Phoenix" when they found out the guy built model planes.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

This should give you some idea of the complexity of building a simple bridge.

I think his bridge is plenty strong enough for his tractor.

 

[Transit]

I think his bridge is plenty strong enough for his tractor.

I hope so, he is betting his life on it and anyone that may cross it too.

 

[buggyman1]

This should give you some idea of the complexity of building a simple bridge.

Panoramio - Photo of 'A' Frame Bridge Over Gorge-Old Man's Cave

Bridge-Masters.com | Trestles, Bridges & Portals for the Garden Railway

HowStuffWorks "How Bridges Work"

Thanks Transit for the links. Them bridges is way over my head. I'm not trying to cross Red River Gorge! You can quit shooting, ya hit me. You are really gonna freak when you see my next simple span.

 

[buggyman1]

Really looks great!

Yes that looks like a fun project... I like the picture showing the landscape in the background, and it looks like a great place to hunt

This bridge should help you with the other one you need to build.

Kentucky has really had a lot of rain & some bad storms this spring.

From the looks of the picture you must live in Central KY.... I live in Eastern KY & across the river is West Virginia.

I have really enjoyed this thread!

Are you going to have another thread on your other bridge ?

Thanks...I'm in Mt.Sterling,, about 18 miles from Lexington, and yes, I'll have a new thread on the other bridge and I welcome everyone's input.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

I hope so, he is betting his life on it and anyone that may cross it too.

From what i have read & seen in the pictures, and knowing that the bridge has 6X6 posts & four supports...IF it would fit, i would drive my tractor over it.

Looking at the pictures.... If it should break you would only fall about 2ft....But with the support in the middle i don't think it will.

I have dug some deep ditches & then need to cross over to the other side, and laid down 2 pallets & drove over them without them breaking.

With my FEL, backhoe & fuel my tractor weighs about 6100lbs.

 

[buggyman1]

I hope so, he is betting his life on it and anyone that may cross it too.

"If you build it, they will cross it" I really don't want to get into a pissing contest with you. You win..it looks weak, its a deathtrap waiting to happen. If it breaks into, you'll get full credit for thinking the worst. The creek is half full in Ky.

 

[diesel_nut]

Transit sounds like one of these city folk that thinks all us country bumpkins are idiots.

 

[buggyman1]

Transit sounds like one of these city folk that thinks all us country bumpkins are idiots.

Everyone has their own ideas. I think he's helpful...God as my witness, i've never seen those type bridge's....they look kinda good. I'm thankful I have a little country sense.