[jim6]

Hello All,
I have a bridge over my creek and need to attach the 4x6 decking to 14" steel I beams. In the past the wood was attached via 6" carriage bolts. The wood rotted around the bolts and it was hell getting them out. I was wondering if anyone knew of another way to attach the decking to the structural steel. Maybe a metal clip or system similar. I want to avoid having to drill the wood and steel if possible 300 x 5 =1500 drill holes. Last, I am not sure if this is the right forum or not.

thanks

JIM

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

is this a new bridge? or redecking it?

 

[Daniel Holzman]

I do not understand what your project is. If you are replacing the rotted 4x6 deck boards, you presumably can reuse the existing holes in the steel girders, unless the holes are too small for the required bolt. I would never use carriage bolts in this situation for the exact reason you described, too hard to get out. I would use structurally rated galvanized steel hex bolts, washers and nuts, and I would inset the bolts into the decking so the bolts do not stick up above the surface. But from the sounds of it you may have a substantial bridge, perhaps rated for vehicles, so taking advice from an internet chat forum may not be the best idea.

 

[jim6]

Sorry for the "no details". It is an existing bridge and I am replacing the rotted 4x6 decking (red oak) with 4x6 white oak. It is a vehicle bridge in so much as it is the only way to cross our creek to get to our house and the neighbors land. So our vehicles, oil truck, power company trucks, tractors, and few others. The old wood had 1/2" carriage bolts on about every third or fourth decking into the steel i beams. The bolts were spaced out hit or miss. I would assume that the bolts should tie the decking into the steel to avoid twisting and make bridge more solid. I will use hex bolts, but wondered if there is some sort of galvanized metal clip system to tie the decking to the steel i beams. I have seen different solutions on the internet. but nothing to my liking. Just looking for ideas.

 

[Oso954]

Every third or fourth plank is tied to the structure? Are you saying the the planks between them are just laid in loose ?

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

Sorry for the "no details". It is an existing bridge and I am replacing the rotted 4x6 decking (red oak) with 4x6 white oak. It is a vehicle bridge in so much as it is the only way to cross our creek to get to our house and the neighbors land. So our vehicles, oil truck, power company trucks, tractors, and few others. The old wood had 1/2" carriage bolts on about every third or fourth decking into the steel i beams. The bolts were spaced out hit or miss. I would assume that the bolts should tie the decking into the steel to avoid twisting and make bridge more solid. I will use hex bolts, but wondered if there is some sort of galvanized metal clip system to tie the decking to the steel i beams. I have seen different solutions on the internet. but nothing to my liking. Just looking for ideas.

why dont you bolt down wood lengthwise with the steel, then lagbolt the cross members to the wood..for a little extra money use all stainless steel bolts and lags...

 

[SeniorSitizen]

I've made a very quick drawing of a typical I-beam wood floor bridge one might find on a county road.

A flooring timber is laid on the beams and a flat steel plate clip is placed on the beam, ( 1 clip on each outside beam flange ) slid against the timber and nailed to the timber flooring board with a couple of bridge spike nails about 6" long. This prevents any lateral movement or lifting of the timbers even tho they are loose. Ever wonder why some of those old bridges rattle when driven across? The timbers are loose.

The ones I've disassembled had a clip about every 4th timber and the timbers between the clipped flooring boards were simply nailed to each other with heat treated ring shank nails.

This design allows for no vertical penetrations and the creosote lumber usually lasted at least 40 years.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... I like the clip idea,.... Great drainage too,...