Suspension bridge

[JimR]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( I just need to figure a way to maintain the distance between the top and bottom rope while I'm fitting and attaching the hanger. )</font>

I have a solution for your problem. Use a turnbuckle and a length of chain. Hang the turnbuckle off the top rope. Wrap the chain around the lower rope and attach each end to the lower hook on the turnbuckle. Adjust the turnbuckle to wherever it needs to be set at. The type I am refferring to are used to hold down large pickup campers on pickup trucks. I noticed that this post go back for years. I hope you figured something out by now.

 

[Darren]

Anytime the water is up, which isn't unusual, we use the bridge. The idea of using turnbuckles with a chain is on the right track. A cart of some kind that rides on the lower cables with some way of locking it into position on the cables seems to be the way to go. I'll need a way of moving it from end to end.

 

[daedong]

If you can use the bridge, just a thought, why not build a totally new bridge slightly bigger over the top, working of the old. It will then be good for another 50 years. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Darren]

If it weren't for the fifty years of deterioration of the cables (one's broken) and the hangers, I wouldn't be considering replacing them. I can probably let things slide and just replace some of the walkway planks, but eventually I have to pay the piper. I'd rather fix it sooner than later and never mess with it again in my lifetime.

I need to determine when the cables go down so that I have an extended period of dry weather to work. If something happens that renders the bridge unusable during periods of high water, I've got a much bigger problem. I'm planning on assembling all the stuff I need and figuring out how to renovate the bridge so that in Sept/Oct of next year I can drop the old cables and go to work.

 

[SPIKER]

darren:

although I don't have any height fear it appears you have even LESS fear of heights !

I'm not sure you you would go about repairing it, as it all looks to have a lot of rust damage. I would think the NEW bridge around the OLD would be the way to go... weld on NEW rings to the OLD tower with the cables already strun through them and using come a-longs to raise the NEW ring & cables by welding a pully OVER the OLD tower top and that way you get extra height above the tower. that way you're NEW cables are in-place on top. you can then use OLD bridge as platform as needed. I would even wire dirrectly to the old bridge as steady rest and cut out sections of old bridge screen to get new parts in place.

anyhow I don't think I would do it myself and also not sure how good the old toweres are eeither???
so replacement of those may be needed too? fo so then you wuould have major head ach.
Mark M

 

[Darren]

There was some repair work done to the towers about ten years ago. I'm planning to check the base at each one of the legs before starting the rest of the work. The idea of working off the existing bridge is appealing, but that puts a lot of stuff in the way. One of the problems is that the lower cables that the walkway is attached to passes over the lower cross members of the towers which is between the legs.

Even after figuring out how to drop the current bridge, I still haven't figured out how to stay out of my own way to attach the hangers. So far I think I need to hang the trolley off the top cables and whatever rides on the cable will have to be able to roll over the hanger connections. FWIW, using a manlift won't work because of instability of the creek banks and the distances involved.

 

[MarkV]

Dang Darren,
When you brought this subject up a few years ago I was visualizing a little bridge about 6’ above water line. That thing is huge! You must get some serious water flow in the creek at times. I’m afraid that fix would be beyond my skills or maybe more accurately my nerves. Do you expect any code problems or is that not an issue in your area? I am afraid around here the state would want to get involved and make the project unrealistic.

I will be looking forward to the progress reports when you get started.

MarkV

 

[Darren]

There is no code that applies in this area. There's no building inspector in the county either. As far as flow, If you look at the picture showing the stairs, I've seen water get within a few steps of the intermediate landing. Usually a couple times a year the creek will cover the first two or three steps.

 

[herdfan]

Has an engineer looked at the bridge?

Those pics certainly give an appreciation of the scope of the project! I can't imagine toting a 50# sack on my shoulder across that, especially if there was a little bit of wind, and much less if a board would crack! Talk about a pucker factor when that cable popped! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Darren]

I suspect the gas company that originally built the bridge fifty years ago had an engineer work up a standard design because there are a couple of bridges in this area that have similar construction with similar towers. As mentioned when this thread first started, I have a source for the cables and fittings. All I have to do is send them a sketch of the cables. They'll size the bridge rope accordingly.

Being a suspension bridge it does move but not to the point you're hanging on for dear life. The walkway prevents a lot of swinging. Some folks still don't like it though. One was a deputy sheriff that crawled across it.