- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Engineers of the OB: Will this bridge support a loaded log truck?
Posted on 10/20/20 at 12:53 pm
Posted on 10/20/20 at 12:53 pm
Bridge span is 30 feet. My grandfather put some steel beams across it in the late 1940s. They're about 12" tall and 8" across (not sure the proper way to describe those dimensions).
There are four total beams. Two pairs about two feet apart. And about 6 feet on centers.
I decked the bridge with full cut 3x10" pine.
Log trucks will be 80,000 pounds. But only half the load will be on the bridge at any one time. I guess the rear axle might carry more weight, so maybe a max of 45-50,000 at a time.
Here are some photos. Thanks for your thoughts and advice.
There are four total beams. Two pairs about two feet apart. And about 6 feet on centers.
I decked the bridge with full cut 3x10" pine.
Log trucks will be 80,000 pounds. But only half the load will be on the bridge at any one time. I guess the rear axle might carry more weight, so maybe a max of 45-50,000 at a time.
Here are some photos. Thanks for your thoughts and advice.
53
Posted on 10/20/20 at 12:57 pm to No Colors
I'd give it a shot. Only 1 way to find out 
Posted on 10/20/20 at 12:57 pm to No Colors
only one way to find out
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:00 pm to cgrand
quote:
cgrand
quote:
only one way to find out
And to think that I was actually counting on you for some hard core engineering advice....
I am hoping that you guys will tell me to go for it. And then if the bridge collapses on my log trucks, I'll sue Chicken and take over the site
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:05 pm to No Colors
I'm not an engineer but how far on the dirt is that beam or is there a concrete pad/footing there?
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:07 pm to No Colors
I'd try it out with a half loaded log truck first.
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:18 pm to No Colors
Looks precarious. Based on the images provided, I’m gonna vote ‘No’
I’d start with even much smaller vehicle and with empty truck first.
I’d start with even much smaller vehicle and with empty truck first.
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:25 pm to No Colors
Lead vato in pic #1 seems doubtful.
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:26 pm to No Colors
I am not an engineer, but that big arse beam laying on a support of a wet dirt bank seems to be a liability.
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:30 pm to holmesbr
quote:
how far on the dirt is that beam or is there a concrete pad/footing there?
So far into the dirt that we couldn't find the end of them....I'm guessing 10' on each side. There was some erosion on the near side in the photograph. So we built a form and poured 5 yards of concrete there.
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:30 pm to No Colors
im not an engineer, but ive seen bridges that looked heavier duty than that, that werent rated to hold 80K lbs.
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:31 pm to tigerfoot
I'm an engineer, wouldn't stamp it, but keep us posted on how it goes. Prayers sent for the first loaded log truck driver across
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:32 pm to No Colors
What size are those I beams? Web/flange/thickness?
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:32 pm to Tigah D
quote:
I'm an engineer, wouldn't stamp it
Agreed
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:32 pm to No Colors
Your main concern should be how those I beams are connected to the embankment.
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:33 pm to No Colors
I'll join the others by offering my unprofessional opinion of hell nope. Is that a patch panel from a previous bend in the second pic?
Also, I'd be worried about the first truck to hit that thing with muddy tires sliding right off one side, doesn't look very wide.
Is that a patch panel from a previous bend in the second pic? Also, I'd be worried about the first truck to hit that thing with muddy tires sliding right off one side, doesn't look very wide.
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:35 pm to No Colors
what kind of footing/base are the i-beams sitting on?
In the only picture it looks like they are just sitting on the ground.
If that's all, I'd be scared a log truck would push them in the ground and they could turn.
In the only picture it looks like they are just sitting on the ground.
If that's all, I'd be scared a log truck would push them in the ground and they could turn.
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:35 pm to upgrayedd
quote:
Your main concern should be how those I beams are connected to the embankment.
If they've been there since the 40s, I'd have to imagine that they've done as much settling into the earth as they're going to do. But yea, not too sure I'd try driving a loaded log truck over it.
ETA: If those are W12 beams with a 30' span and your estimated load is close, you're not gonna wanna try it.
This post was edited on 10/20/20 at 1:43 pm
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:39 pm to No Colors
Did your grandfather put these down when they were logging the land? It looks like the beams are directly under where the wheel load will be?
Personally I would throw in a culvert for the short term until done logging and then remove the culvert (probably would require a permit).
Personally I would throw in a culvert for the short term until done logging and then remove the culvert (probably would require a permit).
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:40 pm to LNCHBOX
Coming down that steep in bankment is going to put a lot of force on that initial step onto the bridge. Better go slow
Page 1 of 7
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News