Pedestrian / Equestrian Foot Bridge 6

[JoshPlumSE]

I'm designing a small wooden bridge to span over a local storm control channel in a clients large property.

The question I have is what loading to use? Right now, I'm using 100 psf because it's a pedestrian bridge. My feeling is that is adequate for equestrian traffic as well. It's only about 6 ft wide, maybe you could fit two horses side by side, but no more than that. It spans about 20 ft. Anyone know of any other criteria related to equestrian traffic?

Then we've got guard rails on the side. I felt uncomfortable using only 200lbs for the guardrail load, so I upped this to 1000 lbs, but with half applied at 2 ft and 4 ft instead of all applied at the 4ft height. I wanted to use something that's reasonable and not too conservative. Anyone want to weigh in on whether to 500 lb loads on a single vertical rail is reasonable? Or, whether there are some obscure guidelines somewhere for equestrian traffic?

 

[MikeHalloran]

Don't forget ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and the occasional police car.



Mike Halloran
Corinth, NY, USA

 

[Ceinostuv]

This is from an older AASHTO spec for pedestrian bridges.

Judgement-In-Training

 

[skeletron]

Just posting to say this is incredible that there is an equestrian load! Nice find Ceinostuv!

From experience riding horses, I can't picture one cantering across a bridge.


...but I can't recall if I have ever solved that problem yet.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

The US Forest Service publishes an "Equestrian Design Guidebook". In particular, Chapter 5 has recommendations for bridges and other crossings. Things like railing height (54"), "rub rails", bridge width, wearing surface, etc.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

 

[JoshPlumSE]

That's phenomenal.... Thanks! Everyone.

 

[bigmig]

AASHTO Has a standard I believe.

https://issuu.com/pedroantoniojimenezsanchez/docs/aashto-lrfd-guidespecfordesignof-pe