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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.
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/Iconcheers.gif)
![](https://i.imgur.com/RPO46eU.jpg)
![](https://i.imgur.com/jk980ls.jpg)
![](https://i.imgur.com/UN98yqF.jpg)
![](https://i.imgur.com/g4K7E6O.jpg)
Posted on 10/20/20 at 12:57 pm to No Colors
I'd give it a shot. Only 1 way to find out ![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/IconLOL.gif)
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/IconLOL.gif)
Posted on 10/20/20 at 12:57 pm to No Colors
only one way to find out ![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/IconLOL.gif)
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/IconLOL.gif)
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. ![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/IconLOL.gif)
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/IconLOL.gif)
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.
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/IconLOL.gif)
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 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 1:32 pm to No Colors
What size are those I beams? Web/flange/thickness?
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.
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/IconLOL.gif)
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 1:39 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 1:46 pm to No Colors
SEND IT!
*Empty truck first though.
*Empty truck first though.
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:49 pm to No Colors
quote:
Will this bridge support a loaded log truck?
I'm not an engineer, but I've watched enough facebook videos of "engineering" in 3rd world countries to know there are far less substantial bridges that can support heavy loads.
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:59 pm to No Colors
Yes - length of truck/trailer balances weight
Add the total weight of the load you will be carrying to the total trailer weight.
Divide the total weight of the load and trailer by the total number of tandem axles. Include the load bearing axle in your count. …
Actually I have no idea![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/IconLOL.gif)
Add the total weight of the load you will be carrying to the total trailer weight.
Divide the total weight of the load and trailer by the total number of tandem axles. Include the load bearing axle in your count. …
Actually I have no idea
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/IconLOL.gif)
Posted on 10/20/20 at 2:01 pm to No Colors
I've gone over worse, in fully loaded tandem axle dump truck, but the span wasn't quite as long. Any way to add support to the center of the span with some beams, or heavy schedule pipe?
Posted on 10/20/20 at 2:11 pm to No Colors
It won't fail immediately. It will have some issues after a time.
Reasoning: I've driven a 27000lb excavator over a much less substantial bridge![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/IconLOL.gif)
Reasoning: I've driven a 27000lb excavator over a much less substantial bridge
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/IconLOL.gif)
Posted on 10/20/20 at 2:14 pm to No Colors
Didn’t you have a thread on this several months back? What were the other alternatives?
This post was edited on 10/20/20 at 2:15 pm
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