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footbridge question JJ 04-22-2008
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Posted by on April 22, 2008, 5:46 pm


>>I would like to construct a very simple footbridge over our creek. The
>>distance is around 12-14 feet from bank to bank. =A0I figured on using
>>two 16' pieces of lumber as the support (about 18-20 inches apart),
>>with 1x6 decking boards along the top. About 2.5' to 3' wide.
>>
>> My question is what should I use for the support beams.
>>
>> I was conteplating either using 4x6 lumber or 2x8 lumber...

>a 4x4 will hold a truck, a 4x4 will hold a house...

A 4x4 with S = bd^2/6 = 7.15 in^4 and M = fs = 7146 in-lb will support
a W = 8M/L = 340 pound distributed load (including the decking boards)
over an L = 14x12" span.

Nick


Posted by DerbyDad03 on April 22, 2008, 4:55 pm
> I would like to construct a very simple footbridge over our creek. =A0The
> distance is around 12-14 feet from bank to bank. =A0I figured on using two=

> 16' pieces of lumber as the support (about 18-20 inches apart), with 1x6
> decking boards along the top. =A0About 2.5' to 3' wide.
>
> My question is what should I use for the support beams. =A0I don't want it=

> to get too high off the ground, because we would like to easily ski over
> it in the winter.
>
> I was conteplating either using 4x6 lumber or 2x8 lumber. =A0I'm not sure
> which will provide a stiffer bridge - which is what I want. =A0How much
> weight can I expect such a bridge to hold? =A0Should I be using a third
> support beam?
>
> Thanks.
>
> -Jonathan

At 14' wide, a 16' beam only gives you a 1' overhang on each shore.

Can you safely dig down to the frost line in your neck of the woods
for your posts at a distance of only 1' from the water?

Posted by Joseph Meehan on April 22, 2008, 5:44 pm
You may want to check with local authorities. I would not be surprised
if there are codes that need to be addressed. Do that before you start
buying materials. If the local authorities don't have any requirements, and
maybe if they do, also check with your insurance company.



>
> I would like to construct a very simple footbridge over our creek. The
> distance is around 12-14 feet from bank to bank. I figured on using two
> 16' pieces of lumber as the support (about 18-20 inches apart), with 1x6
> decking boards along the top. About 2.5' to 3' wide.
>
> My question is what should I use for the support beams. I don't want it
> to get too high off the ground, because we would like to easily ski over
> it in the winter.
>
> I was conteplating either using 4x6 lumber or 2x8 lumber. I'm not sure
> which will provide a stiffer bridge - which is what I want. How much
> weight can I expect such a bridge to hold? Should I be using a third
> support beam?
>
>
> Thanks.
>
> -Jonathan


--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit




Posted by gpsman on April 22, 2008, 7:02 pm
> I would like to construct a very simple footbridge over our creek.

I had a neighbor once whose wife wanted about a .25 acre "pond", with
an island, with @ a 25' bridge.

He dug it out, and built the bridge (steel), and I helped set it in
place.

"Looks like a million bucks", I said.

"Thanks, I only got about half that in it".
-----

- gpsman

Posted by Dan Espen on April 22, 2008, 8:33 pm

> I would like to construct a very simple footbridge over our creek.
> The distance is around 12-14 feet from bank to bank. I figured on
> using two 16' pieces of lumber as the support (about 18-20 inches
> apart), with 1x6 decking boards along the top. About 2.5' to 3' wide.
>
> My question is what should I use for the support beams. I don't want
> it to get too high off the ground, because we would like to easily ski
> over it in the winter.
>
> I was conteplating either using 4x6 lumber or 2x8 lumber. I'm not
> sure which will provide a stiffer bridge - which is what I want. How
> much weight can I expect such a bridge to hold? Should I be using a
> third support beam?

If you are thinking of spanning the gap with lumber laid straight
across, I'd forget that right away.

You need to construct a triangle shaped support then span the
gap with lumber hung from the triangle:


*
* *
* *
==*===========*==
* *

4x4s (*) and 2x6s (=) would probably do the job.
You need to plant the 4x4s in cement.

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