Loading & Usage Diagrams
York Bridge Concepts' Timber Bridge Drawings
Loading & Usage Diagrams Resource Page
At York Bridge Concepts, we understand the critical importance of safety, efficiency, and functionality in bridge design and construction.
Our Loading & Usage Diagrams Resource Page is dedicated to providing engineers, architects, developers, and project stakeholders with guidance and resources for understanding loading requirements and usage considerations in bridge projects.
"I Didn't Know a Timber Bridge Could Do That!"
Most people don't know much about road ratings or loading capacities—and that's okay.
Many people underestimate what a timber bridge can accomplish.
To help educate clients and project teams, York Bridge Concepts developed a webinar focused on both vehicular and pedestrian bridge loading requirements.
The webinar covers:
- Vehicular bridge load capacities
- Pedestrian bridge load capacities
- Industry loading standards
- Project-specific loading requirements
- Heavy equipment applications
- Utility and industrial use cases
From standard highway loading to specialized applications for powerline companies, mining operations, and heavy construction equipment, timber bridges are capable of far more than many people realize.
Vehicular Loading Standards
HL-93
Number of Axles: 3
Axle Spread:
- Minimum 14'
- Variable axle spacing from 14' to 30'
Gross Vehicle Weight:
- 72,000 lbs
- Plus 640 lbs per linear foot of uniform loading
Load Per Axle:
- 8,000 lbs to 32,000 lbs
HS20-44
Number of Axles: 3
Axle Spread:
- Minimum 14'
- Variable axle spacing from 14' to 30'
Gross Vehicle Weight:
- 72,000 lbs
Load Per Axle:
- 8,000 lbs to 32,000 lbs
H10
Number of Axles: 2
Axle Spread:
- Minimum 14'
Gross Vehicle Weight:
- 20,000 lbs
Load Per Axle:
- 4 kips to 16 kips
H5
Number of Axles: 2
Axle Spread:
- Minimum 14'
Gross Vehicle Weight:
- 10,000 lbs
Load Per Axle:
- 2 kips to 8 kips
5-Ton Vehicle
Number of Axles: 2
Axle Spread:
- Minimum 7'
Gross Vehicle Weight:
- 10,000 lbs
Load Per Axle:
- 5 kips per axle
2-Ton Vehicle
Number of Axles: 2
Axle Spread:
- Minimum 7'
Gross Vehicle Weight:
- 5,000 lbs
Load Per Axle:
- 2 kips per axle
Heavy Equipment & Specialty Vehicle Loading
York Bridge Concepts can engineer timber bridges for custom loading scenarios involving oversized vehicles and heavy industrial equipment.
70-Ton Custom Capacity
Number of Axles: 3–4
Gross Vehicle Weight: 140,000 lbs
Representative Loading:
- Steer axle and tandem axle configurations
- Tandem axle loading up to approximately 51,123 lbs combined
Volvo A25F Articulated Haul Truck
Number of Axles: 2
Axle Spread: 16.44'
Gross Vehicle Weight: 101,192 lbs
Load Distribution:
- Approximately 32,000 lbs to 69,000 lbs
Lowboy Crane Transport
Number of Axles: 5
Axle Configuration:
- Variable axle spacing
- Tridem axle arrangement
Gross Vehicle Weight: 248,000 lbs
Typical Loading:
- 18,000 lb steer axle
- Multiple tridem axle configurations
Crane Transport
Number of Axles: 3+
Variable Axle Spacing
Designed for heavy-duty crane transport applications requiring specialized load analysis and custom engineering.
Pedestrian Loading Standards
100 PSF Pedestrian Loading
Designed for high-density pedestrian traffic applications and public-use facilities.
90 PSF Pedestrian Loading
Commonly used for:
- Parks
- Trails
- Greenways
- Recreational crossings
- Community pathways
York Bridge Concepts Services
Loading Analysis
Our engineering team performs comprehensive loading analyses to determine the design loads and usage conditions that will affect bridge performance.
Analysis may include:
- Vehicle weights
- Traffic volume
- Environmental conditions
- Special equipment requirements
- Site-specific loading scenarios
Advanced engineering tools and modeling techniques are used to optimize safety and performance.
Usage Studies
Understanding how users interact with a bridge is essential to successful design.
Usage studies evaluate:
- Traffic flow
- Pedestrian behavior
- Operational requirements
- Accessibility needs
- Future use scenarios
These insights help optimize bridge functionality, safety, and user experience.
Consultation Services
York Bridge Concepts provides consultation services to assist project teams with loading requirements and bridge planning.
Services include:
- Technical guidance
- Capacity recommendations
- Best practices
- Concept development
- Preliminary evaluations
- Project-specific recommendations
Vehicular Section Views
The resource library includes example section views and design references for common bridge configurations.
Double-Lane Vehicular Bridge with Two Attached Pedestrian Sections
Designed to accommodate vehicular traffic while providing separated pedestrian pathways.
Double-Lane Vehicular Bridge with Attached Pedestrian Section
Combines vehicular access with dedicated pedestrian circulation.
Double-Lane Vehicular Bridge
A standard two-lane vehicular bridge configuration engineered for durability and performance.
Single-Lane Vehicular Bridge with Attached Pedestrian Section
A compact bridge solution that accommodates both vehicles and pedestrians.
Single-Lane Vehicular Bridge
Designed for private roads, communities, parks, and low-volume traffic applications.
Additional Educational Resources
The resource library includes example section views and design references for common bridge configurations.
Culvert or Bridge Design Guide
Educational guidance for evaluating bridge and culvert solutions based on:
- Hydraulics
- Environmental impacts
- Cost considerations
- Long-term performance
Timber Bridge Educational Webinar Series
A collection of educational presentations covering:
- Timber bridge design
- Loading standards
- Sustainability
- Construction methodologies
- Industry best practices
Virtual Lunch & Learn Programs
York Bridge Concepts offers educational Lunch & Learn sessions for:
- Engineering firms
- Architecture firms
- Municipal agencies
- Developers
- Landscape architects
- Construction professionals
These sessions provide continuing education and bridge design insights tailored to specific project needs.