Structural engineers needed for a beam calculation.

[Diggin It]

One thing I haven't seen much mention of is the decking. Using the beams in question and adding a few hundred pounds of wood (or whatever) for decking, would it even support itself? Doesn't sound like it.

 

[Woody65]

Curious how much do they want for the beams? I agree with the others that they are not big enough for anything of significant load, but wonder if they would make a fun project to build a bridge to walk across the creek, or even a cantilevered deck/sitting area that only goes half way across the creek.

Some good ideas Eddie. The guy wants $800 for the 2 beams

 

[Woody65]

Thank you all for the informative responses. Obviously I won’t be using them for this project. I didn’t know aluminum beams were that weak. I will go by the plans I had done for me utilizing (4) 14” diameter red oak logs, 2 on each side stitched together with rebar and sitting on a 2’x2’x8’ concrete abutments on either side. Decking is specd at 4”x12”. I had the engineer figure it on a max of 10k load.
Again, you engineers in the crowd, thanks for the informative responses.

 

[ArlyA]

We might receive more snow than Woody does. Our roof and bridge codes are for 100psf and when we installed 42ft bridge, we used 18" beams on 3ft centers. I believe the live load was rated at 4000lbs that constitutes a truck crossing it. It was PE stamped. Ask if you care to see pictures of it. Oh and the decking was 4".

 

[JLH4]

:duh:Another thing to think about when building a bridge, insurance. Can a 120,000 lb. fire truck or even a 60,000 lb. tanker cross it in case of fire. I was a vol. fireman and we worried about bridges on private roads and driveways.
Even a bridge designed for 10k may be too small for insurance purposes.
Let us know how you make out. :2cents:

 

[Woody65]

:duh:Another thing to think about when building a bridge, insurance. Can a 120,000 lb. fire truck or even a 60,000 lb. tanker cross it in case of fire. I was a vol. fireman and we worried about bridges on private roads and driveways.
Even a bridge designed for 10k may be too small for insurance purposes.
Let us know how you make out. :2cents:

Nothing other than my vehicles and equipment will cross it. It’s 1/4 mile into my property on a UTV trail.

 

[yooperdave]

We might receive more snow than Woody does. Our roof and bridge codes are for 100psf and when we installed 42ft bridge, we used 18" beams on 3ft centers. I believe the live load was rated at 4000lbs that constitutes a truck crossing it. It was PE stamped. Ask if you care to see pictures of it. Oh and the decking was 4".

Most larger vehicles weigh more than 4,000#. A PE will most likely do what you tell them to do regarding a design based on specified load ratings. I got involved once when a truck collapsed the bridge getting to an island in the Menominee River. He narrowly escaped death. The bridge was clearly marked with the load rating, but he went for it anyway not thinking. Go yoose Huskies!! MTU 1986.

 

[ArlyA]

The PE told us we didn't have a choice and followed state guide lines. The structure needed states DNR stamp of approval. No fire trucks. I should add that I can't recall what live weight he stated we need to include, it was basically one 3/4 truck, whatever they weight.

Most larger vehicles weigh more than 4,000#. A PE will most likely do what you tell them to do regarding a design based on specified load ratings. I got involved once when a truck collapsed the bridge getting to an island in the Menominee River. He narrowly escaped death. The bridge was clearly marked with the load rating, but he went for it anyway not thinking. Go yoose Huskies!! MTU 1986.