Timber Bridge
Load Capacities & Uses

What uses do timber bridges support?

Timber Bridge Uses & Load Capacities

Our timber bridges can be designed and built for any capacity and use.

Timber bridges are great for both vehicular and pedestrian use. The majority of the vehicular bridges we’ve built are designed to general highway standards for traffic including semi-trucks, which does tend to surprise people. In addition, all vehicular bridges can be designed specifically to meet the needs of heavier loads, the options are far and wide, just ask! As for the pedestrian bridges we’ve built everything from nature’s best boardwalks to luxury waterfront amenities to soaring free spans, each designed to the national standards for safety. Like our vehicular bridges, our pedestrian bridges can also be designed to accommodate greater crowds, enhanced loading for occasional use by vehicles, or the most common request is to allow for golf cart use. So, if you have a use in mind, we’ve got a capacity to match. These are some definitions, diagrams, and even charts to help you define the right bridge for your needs.
webinar

"I didn't know a wooden bridge could do that!"

Most people don’t know about road ratings or loading capacities - we get that. Lots of people underestimate timber bridges - we know that. So to save you a challenging web search, time, and maybe even some money, we made this webinar for you! This session will outline both vehicular and pedestrian uses that timber bridges are great for AND give you access to guideline resources on how you can determine what capacity might be necessary for your next project. From accommodating highway standards to some supersized requests for powerline companies, mining facilities, and construction equipment, we’ve got projects that’ll make you say, “I didn’t know a timber bridge could do THAT.”
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Vehicular Use

Standard Vehicular Loading Diagrams

This category is based on regular usage of the bridge by vehicles up to a semi-tractor-trailer. The most common loading capacity for Standard Vehicular Use is the HS20 Truck Loading. They are typically utilized for private and public roadways. Ultimately, a loading capacity is determined by largest vehicle for anticipated regular use, for example an HS20 supports a typical semi-tractor-trailer weighing 72,000 lbs. To see more about HS Truck Loadings for maximum weights and weight distribution see the associated loading diagrams and charts.

Load capacity
Axle Quantity
Axle Spread
Gross Vehicular Weight (GVW)
Per Axle Loading

HS20

3 Axles

Min 14' Axle Spread, 14' to 30' Variable Axle Spread

72k lbs / 36 Tons

8k lbs - 32k lbs - 32k lbs

HL93

3 Axles

Min 14' Axle Spread, 14' to 30' Variable Axle Spread

72k lbs / 36 Tons + 640 lbs per linear foot of uniform loading

8k lbs - 32k lbs - 32k lbs + 640 lbs per linear foot of uniform loading

HL93
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HS20
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Lightweight Vehicular Loading Diagrams

This category is based on regular usage of the bridge by vehicles up to a large pick-up truck or SUV. The most common loading capacities for Lightweight Vehicular Use bridges are the H5 & H10 Truck Loadings. They are typically utilized for driveways, trails, private access roads, maintenance paths, or similar. Ultimately, a loading capacity is determined by largest vehicle for anticipated regular use, for example an H10 would be used when Emergency Access for an Ambulance or similar is required. To see more about H Truck Loadings for maximum weights and weight distribution see the associated loading diagrams and charts.

Load capacity
Axle Quantity
Axle Spread
Gross Vehicular Weight (GVW)
Per Axle Loading

H5

2 Axles

Min 14' Axle Spread

10k lbs / 5 Tons

2 kips (2k.lbs) -  8 kips (8k.lbs)

H10

2 Axles

Min 14' Axle Spread

20k lbs / 10 Tons

4 kips (4k.lbs) -
16 kips (16k.lbs)

H10
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H5
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Section Views

Double Lane w/ 2 Walkways
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Double Lane w/ Walkway
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Double Lane
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Single Lane w/ Walkway
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Single Lane
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Heavy Weight Equipment & Large Specialty Vehicle Use

This category is based on regular usage of the bridge by a unique vehicle with special loading considerations, that is atypical of all commonly defined truck loading capacities. A custom truck loading capacity can be designated to support the maximum gross vehicular weight and weight distribution of most oversized or unique truck loads. Pictured below are examples of vehicles that we used to custom design timber bridges.

Custom capacity
Axle Quantity
Axle Spread
Gross Vehicular Weight (GVW)
Per Axle Loading

70 Ton GVW

3-4 Axles

N/A

140k lbs / 70 Tons

81,831 lbs (Steer Axle & Tandem Axle, lbs/wheel undefined) - 51,123 lbs (Tandem Axle 25,561.5 lbs/wheel)

Volvo A25F Articulated Load

2 Axles

16.44'

101,192.2 lbs

32,077.3 lbs - 69,115 lbs (Tandem Axle 34,557.5 lbs/wheel)

Low Boy Crane Transport

5 Axles

Min 14' Axle Spread; 14' to 26'7" Variable Axle Spread; 4.5' - 5' Variable Tridem Axle Spread

248,000 lbs

18k lbs - (4) 57.6k combined lbs per axle (Tridem Axles 19,200 lbs/wheel)

Crane Transport

3 Axles

Min 16' Axle Spread; 16' to 31'4" Variable Axle Spread; 4.5' - 5' Variable Tridem Axle Spread

15,500 lbs - (2) 63,750 combined lbs per axle (Tridem Axles 21,250 lbs/wheel)

18k lbs - (4) 57.6k combined lbs per axle (Tridem Axles 19,200 lbs/wheel)

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Pedestrian Use

Light Vehicular / Pedestrian

This category is based on a bridge that requires regular usage by a 6-person golf cart or utility terrain vehicle up to a small pick-up truck.
Load capacity
Axle Quantity
Per Axle Loading
Axle Spread

5 Ton GVW

2 Axles

5 kips (5k lbs) - 5 kips (5k lbs)

Min 7' Axle Spread

2 Ton GVW

2 Axles

2 kips (2k lbs) - 2 kips (2k lbs)

Min 7' Axle Spread

5-Ton GVW
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2-Ton GVW
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Section View
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Pedestrian

A pedestrian bridge is used to support the live load of one or more people. The 90 PSF loading capacity is based on regular usage of the bridge by pedestrians and cyclists. The 100 PSF loading capacity is based on regular usage of the bridge by pedestrians, cyclists, and event crowds. Sister loading can be utilized for occasional or emergency use. This could include occasional bridge use by golf carts, maintenance equipment, or vehicles. Ultimately, the additional or sister loading capacity is determined by largest vehicle for anticipated use as a secondary loading. The most common complementary loading capacity includes the 2-ton or 5-ton GVW and the vehicular H5 or H10 loading capacities.
100 PSF
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90 PSF
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Section View
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Heavy Weight Equipment & Large Specialty Vehicle Use

This category is based on regular usage of the bridge by a unique vehicle with special loading considerations, that is atypical of all commonly defined truck loading capacities. A custom truck loading capacity can be designated to support the maximum gross vehicular weight and weight distribution of most oversized or unique truck loads. Pictured below are examples of vehicles that we used to custom design timber bridges.

Custom capacity
Axle Quantity
Axle Spread
Gross Vehicular Weight (GVW)
Per Axle Loading

70 Ton GVW

3-4 Axles

N/A

140k lbs / 70 Tons

81,831 lbs (Steer Axle & Tandem Axle, lbs/wheel undefined) - 51,123 lbs (Tandem Axle 25,561.5 lbs/wheel)

Volvo A25F Articulated Load

2 Axles

16.44'

101,192.2 lbs

32,077.3 lbs - 69,115 lbs (Tandem Axle 34,557.5 lbs/wheel)

Low Boy Crane Transport

5 Axles

Min 14' Axle Spread; 14' to 26'7" Variable Axle Spread; 4.5' - 5' Variable Tridem Axle Spread

248,000 lbs

18k lbs - (4) 57.6k combined lbs per axle (Tridem Axles 19,200 lbs/wheel)

Crane Transport

3 Axles

Min 16' Axle Spread; 16' to 31'4" Variable Axle Spread; 4.5' - 5' Variable Tridem Axle Spread

15,500 lbs - (2) 63,750 combined lbs per axle (Tridem Axles 21,250 lbs/wheel)

18k lbs - (4) 57.6k combined lbs per axle (Tridem Axles 19,200 lbs/wheel)

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General Terminology Definitions

All Feature Projects

2021 Webinar Series

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March 24, 2021 at 2:00pm

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April 14, 2021 at 2:00pm

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May 12, 2021 at 2:00pm

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June 16, 2021 at 2:00pm

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August 18, 2021 at 2:00pm

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September 15, 2021 at 2:00pm

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October 20, 2021 at 2:00pm

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