Bridge for Farm Use

[jagermeister]

Calling all engineers, diy'ers, and general know-how-to-get-shit-done'ers...

I have a substantial creek that I'd like to be able to get a truck and eventually tractor across, maybe even a backhoe... So let's say a live load rating of at least 20,000 pounds. Minimum span is about 40 feet, and it's about 10-11 feet down to the bottom of the creek bed. Water is 5 feet deep on average. This is a major tributary that receives large amounts of runoff during heavy rain events, and water level rises and falls with the Lake Erie level. So I'm leaning toward a bridge rather than a culvert setup due to concerns about flow restriction and erosion. Attached is a cross-section from a survey I just completed today. I'm looking for any/all ideas and suggestions from the huge knowledge base that is TOO.

I have buddy that owns a local fab shop and demolition company who will most likely be doing the bulk of the work for me. He has a pile of very long, 30" I-beams laying in the weeds that I can purchase (probably steeply discounted) for this job, but obviously there's site prep and abutments that would need to be installed. I am also considering repurposing a dilapidated flat-bed semi trailer or shipping container... however I don't really know where to buy one of these.

Fire away, gents.

 

[triple_duece]

Flatbed trailer would do the trick. So would a shipping container. Just cut the ends out. Height might hurt you depending what your in. I beams should work fine also but will run more by the time you deck it. With any of the above it would be best if you built substantial footings on the ends. Hope this helps.

 

[giles]

Being a main tributary, what are the codes in your area?

How cool would it be to build a dam so you could flood the fields for waterfowl...and then you’d have a low water spot to cross.

 

[jagermeister]

Being a main tributary, what are the codes in your area?

How cool would it be to build a dam so you could flood the fields for waterfowl...and then you’d have a low water spot to cross.

I have an email out to the county engineer. Hoping to hear back about codes/regulations/etc in the next day or so.

A dam would likely never get approval. But I've considered installing diked wetlands adjacent to the creek. All that would be needed is a pump and some water control structures. However, wetlands require a shit load of work and money to properly maintain. So as of right now, I'm not leaning in that direction. I have a few other ideas instead.

 

[hickslawns]

@Gern186 I think this is your department.

 

["J"]

@CJD3 has experience at this game as well....

 

[GoetsTalon]

Couple different options if they will let you put it in but there shouldn't be any reason why they wouldn't. The cheap steel would be cool. The cheapest would be to do culvert pipe but this creek sounds like it's decent size. Your buddy could set the steel then you could pan and pour a deck. Setting footers on both sides of the creek for the steel. You could end up sinking a shitload of money into this thing. Can you get Crete to both sides?

 

[jagermeister]

Couple different options if they will let you put it in but there shouldn't be any reason why they wouldn't. The cheap steel would be cool. The cheapest would be to do culvert pipe but this creek sounds like it's decent size. Your buddy could set the steel then you could pan and pour a deck. Setting footers on both sides of the creek for the steel. You could end up sinking a shitload of money into this thing. Can you get Crete to both sides?

Yes, getting concrete to the far side would have to wait until the crops come off, but it could be done.

 

[GoetsTalon]

That's good! Permits and permission shit lol. I bet about every member on here has walked across a farm bridge that was old railroad tracks and shitty lumber lol now they got rules lol

 

[Dustinb80]

Good luck here Jim. This will be an interesting thread to follow.

 

[Gern186]

Your county engineer is the correct first step in this process. The drainage department there should be able to size the correct structure for you. Since the channel always holds a large amount of water being on the low end of the drainage system this is more of a unique situation. Have you searched upstream and downstream of your place on the same channel and measured the size of the structures that are in place? I would start there. This is a large opening to get across and by dropping a culvert structure in there I would imagine it would have to be a massive pipe to handle the amount of water that passes through it. The county should be able to calculate the acres coming through there and design a pipe with the necessary end opening area required if you go that route. You may be a able to get ahold of a railroad tanker and cut the ends off of it and have that put in as your culvert. Once again it depends on the amount of acres coming thru the channel. As far as a bridge structure I think you would get into a tremendous amount of money to make that span. Keep us informed what the county engineer has to say.

 

[giles]

I was pipe dreaming about the wetlands. Not much advice I can give until the county has spoken.

 

[OhioWhiteTails]

I might be able to get a hold of an old trailer for you, or possibly a shipping container. We get new equipment a couple times a year. I'll keep my eyes open if you decide to take this route. Definitely an interesting thread and project. I look forward to it's progression.

 

[OO2]

Looking forward to following along!

 

[triple_duece]

Can also get some telephone poles 40’ kind and double up where the wheels would cross the bridge and plank the whole thing locking it in. Foundation on each side is crucial imo.

As for dam, whole lot of other shit comes with that mess. Got a story for ya.

I have a good friend lease 2200 acres in Mississippi. Place was semi flat w slightly changing elevations in some areas. There was a spot with a dam that was not maintained and held about 13 acres of water, but could hold 30 acres. Most of the remains “dry” acres were very shallow. They spent good money fixing the damn and stocked it to the hilt. One day he gets a letter from the county (corps maybe) saying he couldn’t have a lake that big, because if it broke it could be dangerous to other properties. Long story short, the county came out and cut some of the damn down to around 15 acres of standing water. This is rural land, but I guess they still have jurisdiction over a certain size impoundment. Crazy as it is, there are more laws with water and containment than I’d ever imagine.

 

[Big_Holla]

What about the frame off of an old mobile home or one used to transport double wide sections. Not sure what kind of support system you'd have to design for it though to handle the weight.

 

[CJD3]

Bridge and the county are one thing...
But if you think about a dam, now it’s the ODNR and their list of “approved “ goodolboys.

I’ll refrain till you say more.

 

[cspot]

Any long term plans for this structure? In other words are you planning on building a house that you would need to cross this bridge or is this just for occasional equipment.

I am thinking for occasional use is there a place where the banks flatten out some or could be flattened out some and then you could just redneck cross it thru the water. Maybe add some rock to give the bottom a good base?

 

[jagermeister]

Thanks for all the replies, suggestions, and questions so far.

This stream runs south about 15 miles or more, so it has a very large watershed and a huge runoff potential. The banks are fairly steep, and typical silt loads are significant, so a cut out stream crossing is simply out of the question. I do not plan to build here so this will be mainly for "occasional" use, however I still want it done right.

I got a response from the county engineer and he informed me the county office does not have jurisdiction on this particular stream, so no permits or inspections. I'm still waiting to hear about possible requirements from the township. The engineer said it is Ohio law that you cannot blow or slow down existing drainageways. So he doesn't have a problem with a large box culvert or a bridge, just as long as it doesn't result in drainage problems. He said a box culvert would have to be roughly 12' tall x 16' wide to handle the maximum flow potential. That's a big structure, but still may be cheaper than building a steel bridge. I have some contacts at Mack Industries so I can get some pricing on precast and delivery of box culverts. Gonna require a crane to set them but we'll see how the numbers look.

 

[cspot]

Thanks for all the replies, suggestions, and questions so far.

This stream runs south about 15 miles or more, so it has a very large watershed and a huge runoff potential. The banks are fairly steep, and typical silt loads are significant, so a cut out stream crossing is simply out of the question. I do not plan to build here so this will be mainly for "occasional" use, however I still want it done right.

I got a response from the county engineer and he informed me the county office does not have jurisdiction on this particular stream, so no permits or inspections. I'm still waiting to hear about possible requirements from the township. The engineer said it is Ohio law that you cannot blow or slow down existing drainageways. So he doesn't have a problem with a large box culvert or a bridge, just as long as it doesn't result in drainage problems. He said a box culvert would have to be roughly 12' tall x 16' wide to handle the maximum flow potential. That's a big structure, but still may be cheaper than building a steel bridge. I have some contacts at Mack Industries so I can get some pricing on precast and delivery of box culverts. Gonna require a crane to set them but we'll see how the numbers look.

Yes that is a good size structure and you will need a pretty good size crane to set it. Plus you have to have a good enough road to get the crane and pieces to it. The other issue if if there is a lot of silt in that stream, you will have to excavate that out and place rock to support the culvert. To do it right, you will probably need to dig some test holes and have a Geotech engineer look at it for foundation recommendations. My guess and this is only a guess as I haven't had any quotes for something that size in that short of distance is that you are probably looking at for 15 LF of culvert 12'x16' size with some sort of wingwalls may be 40-50k. You would also need rip-rap to prevent erosion, and you will have to pump the stream flow around it. Even if you did the work yourself and then rent a crane, I would guess you may end up with 75-100k in it depending on how much additional work is required and how much equipment you own. My price may be a little high as I am used to see culverts with highway load ratings. Although if I was going this route I would something that I could take a loaded dump truck across.

If you want to check into the bridge cost look at ADM Welding. http://admwelding.com/ THey make temporary/ permanent bridges for construction, gas lines, etc. Instead of a crane you may be able to use a large excavator to set it. You would still need abutments which can be an issue with the silt. I know they sometimes have used bridges for sale too.

I think you are looking at a pricey solution here though no matter what way you go. I have to wonder for occasional use if the cost would be worth it. If you can get a concrete truck to both sides, what is the major need to cross the stream? Not being critical just trying to understand why you are wanting a crossing there.