Oak Run Bridge - Redding, California
Railcar Girders
Not All Railcars are the Same!
Railroad flatcars (railcars) have been used for bridge superstructures for many years, but have received mixed reviews because not all railcars are the same. Railcars are an excellent use of an engineered structure made of recycled steel; and, if the appropriate type of railcar is utilized, railcars have the structural integrity and sufficient strength for most bridge uses including heavy construction sites (i.e. dirt moving tractor scrapers) and logging.
Engineering Matters
After many years of experience in the bridge design and construction business, we realize that it is important that the bridge design engineer be familiar with the various types of railcars. We have seen undersized and structurally weak railcars designed and used inappropriately causing minor to serious problems including failure. For this reason, it is important that the bridge design engineer provide structural plans and calculations that accurately assess girder capacity for each specific use. This requires that the engineer has experience and knowledge about the various types of railcars, the specific type of steel and configuration of the steel members used for the railcar structure, and the capacity and use limitations for each type of railcar.
Morris Engineering in cooperation with Skip Gibbs Company have researched, investigated and analyzed various railcars. We have developed a practical understanding of railcar capacity, limitations, performance and efficiency when used for bridge girders. Morris Engineering has over 20 years of experience and knowledge to provide bridge design services and structural calculations for your railcar bridge project.
Railroad flatcars (railcars) have been used for bridge superstructures for many years, but have received mixed reviews because not all railcars are the same. Railcars are an excellent use of an engineered structure made of recycled steel; and, if the appropriate type of railcar is utilized, railcars have the structural integrity and sufficient strength for most bridge uses including heavy construction sites (i.e. dirt moving tractor scrapers) and logging.
Engineering Matters
After many years of experience in the bridge design and construction business, we realize that it is important that the bridge design engineer be familiar with the various types of railcars. We have seen undersized and structurally weak railcars designed and used inappropriately causing minor to serious problems including failure. For this reason, it is important that the bridge design engineer provide structural plans and calculations that accurately assess girder capacity for each specific use. This requires that the engineer has experience and knowledge about the various types of railcars, the specific type of steel and configuration of the steel members used for the railcar structure, and the capacity and use limitations for each type of railcar.
Morris Engineering in cooperation with Skip Gibbs Company have researched, investigated and analyzed various railcars. We have developed a practical understanding of railcar capacity, limitations, performance and efficiency when used for bridge girders. Morris Engineering has over 20 years of experience and knowledge to provide bridge design services and structural calculations for your railcar bridge project.
Private Residential Bridge - Orinda, CA
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Public Road, Reeves Canyon Road - Redwood Valley, CA
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