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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 by No Colors
Sandbar
Member since Sep 2010
10657 posts
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.










Posted by SaDaTayMoses
Member since Oct 2005
4329 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 12:57 pm to
I'd give it a shot. Only 1 way to find out
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
39241 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 12:57 pm to
only one way to find out
Posted by holmesbr
Baton Rouge, La.
Member since Feb 2012
3066 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:05 pm to
I'm not an engineer but how far on the dirt is that beam or is there a concrete pad/footing there?
Posted by Shexter
Prairieville
Member since Feb 2014
14173 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:07 pm to
I'd try it out with a half loaded log truck first.
Posted by habz007
New Orleans
Member since Nov 2007
3753 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:18 pm to
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.
Posted by White Bear
Yonnygo
Member since Jul 2014
14242 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:25 pm to
Lead vato in pic #1 seems doubtful.
Posted by tigerfoot
Alexandria
Member since Sep 2006
56710 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:26 pm to
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 by GeauxBichGeaux
Member since Apr 2017
1347 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:30 pm to
im not an engineer, but ive seen bridges that looked heavier duty than that, that werent rated to hold 80K lbs.
Posted by reds on reds on reds
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2013
4224 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:32 pm to
What size are those I beams? Web/flange/thickness?
Posted by upgrayedd
Lifting at Tobin's house
Member since Mar 2013
135220 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:32 pm to
Your main concern should be how those I beams are connected to the embankment.
Posted by YOURADHERE
Member since Dec 2006
8065 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:33 pm to
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.
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
25198 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:35 pm to
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.
Posted by TimeOutdoors
AK
Member since Sep 2014
12129 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:39 pm to
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).
Posted by Clyde Tipton
Planet Earth
Member since Dec 2007
38878 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:46 pm to
SEND IT!

*Empty truck first though.
Posted by tenfoe
Member since Jun 2011
6865 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:49 pm to
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 by The Torch
DFW The Dub
Member since Aug 2014
19562 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:59 pm to
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
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
28371 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 2:01 pm to
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 by X123F45
Member since Apr 2015
27599 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 2:11 pm to
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
Posted by jimbeam
University of LSU
Member since Oct 2011
75703 posts
Posted on 10/20/20 at 2:14 pm to
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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