Any ideas on how to build a bridge?

[Timbo_S2]

As an aside, I'd contact the EA and look at putting in a culvert instead. Cheaper, easier and less maintenance.

[pequod]

Given the apparent size of your stream maybe consider a culvert instead of building a bridge? Such as these;

https://wells-spiral.co.uk/culverts-drainage/

[lear]

Manners2001 said:

I'd go with steel screw piles rather than concrete pads footings, with a steel 'I' beam ladder structure infilled with either suitably sized steel reinforced concrete lintels or suitably treated and sized timber.

The screw piles will avoid excavation and having to install mass fill concrete (we use them railway lineside or at the side of roads - great kit). They are designed so they come with an appropriate plate for a bolted connection to the steels...

Thanks for that - really interesting suggestion. I think the bit I’m going to have most trouble with is dumping a load of concrete in the ground rather than flood risk. It’s in designated ancient woodland so Natual England won’t want me poisoning the lichen. Steel screws could be the answer!

[lear]

Munter said:

I of course then had to do that, despite not needing a bridge. Weird and wonderful stuff there.

For the OP:
http://www.bridgesforsale.co.uk/bridge-for-sale/9m...

That looks great! I’ve seen various posts on US tractor sites suggest getting hold of an old plant trailer, taking the axles off and just dropping it across the gap!

[snake_oil]

Now this is what I call a thread. Looking forward to seeing how this one goes!

[mikeveal]

Practise makes perfect.

[Hitch]

lear said:

Munter said:

I of course then had to do that, despite not needing a bridge. Weird and wonderful stuff there.

For the OP:
http://www.bridgesforsale.co.uk/bridge-for-sale/9m...

That looks great! I’ve seen various posts on US tractor sites suggest getting hold of an old plant trailer, taking the axles off and just dropping it across the gap!

That makes a lot of sense given how little it will get used and the fact its not exactly a raging torrent underneath. You'd fall foul of some regs but it looks like your crossing is pretty much out of the public eye.

[chrisga]

Remember the 3 tonne load won't be spread evenly across the bridge, so you will need to allow for the load to be spread via the wheels and more of the load will possibly be through the tractors rear wheels with the mower on.

I'm in, cool project. More pics please.

[MKnight702]

OOOh I can see many opportunities here. Especially since you already have the heavy equipment.

Can we resurrect the Dam thread as well?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=11...

[lear]

So, those rare occasions when one is pleasantly surprised by how helpful the authorities can be...The chap in charge of such matters for the district council just called back and said as it’s not a major waterway that no consents are required from them and we have no requirement to notify as we’re not affecting the stream bed (I didn’t mention dropping a Range Rover in it). It’s outside of the environment agency’s remit. Not only that he also happily gave me the details for their private contractor who built a very nice footbridge further upstream for the council - and who used to be head of bridges for E.Sussex county council.

Hmm, so no real excuses not to get building now!

[Swervin_Mervin]

Does it not even need planning permission? It's an above ground engineering structure, so surely must do?

[Munter]

mikeveal said:

Practise makes perfect.

Damn you. Now what do I put on my time sheet? Personal Development? Tools training? Garrgh.

[GreatGranny]

Culvert it.



Corrugated pipe and a few tonnes of hardcore/fill

[snake_oil]

GreatGranny said:

Culvert it.

Sadly this seems the sensible answer. I'd much prefer a bridge though, for the sake of the thread.

[Manners2001]

snake_oil said:

GreatGranny said:

Culvert it.

Sadly this seems the sensible answer. I'd much prefer a bridge though, for the sake of the thread.

Yes, definitely a bridge - not least so you whistle the Colonel Bogey march from 'Bridge over the River Kwai' every time you cross it.....

[FourWheelDrift]

A drawbridge, so that you can still allow yachts to navigate the stream

[chrisga]

Scaled up version of this please:

[GliderRider]

My dad had to put in a bridge across a stream between a couple of meadows he owned, some years back. He went for the bed off an old Army lorry. The steelwork was fairly substantial, and the wooden bed was, as I recall, some Australian hardwood so hard it made woodworm look elsewhere for their lunch.

A quick look on ebay suggests you should get something for around the £500 mark for a civvy one and £1000 for an Army one. Search for 'flat bed body' or 'lorry bed'.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/22ft-x-8ft-FLAT-BED-BOD...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lorry-flat-bed-body/292...

Edited by GliderRider on Friday 1st June 16:14

[hondafanatic]

alorotom said:

Andehh said:

What an awsome project to have!!

That’s my thoughts too!
I’ve no idea on the the detail or answer but so would love the same project!

I love threads like this... reminds me of the ‘build an entire swimming pool in two days’ and ‘I need to grow a forest in a month’.

Just when you think everything has been asked you get this kind of thread...‘‘tis brill

[PositronicRay]

hondafanatic said:

alorotom said:

Andehh said:

What an awsome project to have!!

That’s my thoughts too!
I’ve no idea on the the detail or answer but so would love the same project!

I love threads like this... reminds me of the ‘build an entire swimming pool in two days’ and ‘I need to grow a forest in a month’.

Just when you think everything has been asked you get this kind of thread...‘‘tis brill

+ I also loved the "how much to dig a hole" thread, turns out the guy was building some sort of mini hadron collider particle accelerator. Or who can forget the "front garden funicular railway R & R"