small bridge .. anybody done it?

[cpt_sfc]

Rock river
Did you ever get anywhere on the bridge?

[cpt_sfc]

Was in farm country the other day . We have had some bad storms. A field I go by had the culvert washed away. I watch the farmer bringing out what appeared to be a bed of a short semi trl . with a big tractor. He drove up to the ditch and with the help of a couple guys lined this thing up and dropped it across the ditch. It had the frame on the bottom was made of alum decking, then he drove this big 8 foot wide tractor over it to the other side . At that point I was in awe and went on my way to the inlaws.

[Not_Yet_Prepped]

I have seen trees dropped to create bridges.

Being a wood guy, I would "Laminate" wood into an Arc shape to cross. Laminating wood creates very strong beams, then using an arc shape can make the bridge even stronger. It would take a little time and LOTS of Glue. You could create a bridge that, with a little love every couple of years to retreat with water protection, would last a lifetime.

[cpt_sfc]

Driving to my in laws I spotted another bridge idea. This was not a huge drive but was about 5 foot in dia. to fit the ditch. Like a culvert but this guy got it for free from one of the gas well plants in the area. It was the condensing tank . about 4-5 foot around . This fellow cut out the ends and was left with a steel tube about 20 feet long. I kinda wondered because no ribbing. BUT he had stacked ready mix bags at each end dug into banks and had re rod driven down to hold bags all upright. During the week it rained so I thought bye bye culvert. Nope the rain/moisture set up the bags hard as rock and stuck together. He had a truck backed up to it and was dumping fill in around the tube. It seems the ready mix bags hold the round shape of the tube and stops it from collapsing. I will hold judgment until a couple years pass, it is a Idea.

[WolfBrother]

Did a quick search for Combat Engineer handbooks etc. The newest free download is listed first - the oldest (1941) last

Field Manual 5-34
4 September 1987
ENGINEER FIELD DATA

http://library.enlistment.us/field-manuals/series-1/FM5_34/534TITLE.PDF

Field Manual 5-34
30 August 1999
Engineer Field Data

http://www.survivalschool.us/wp-content/uploads/fm-5-34-engineer-field-data.pdf

Field Manual 5-5
11 October 1943
Engineer Field Manual

http://www.survivalschool.us/wp-content/uploads/fm-5-34-engineer-field-data.pdf

Field Manual 5-5
31 Januaruy 1941
Engineer Field Manual

http://www.90thidpg.us/Reference/Manuals/FM%205-5%201941.pdf

Now to "Bubba Engineer" it
- find a junked mobile home - the longer the better.

IF you can get it for next to nothing - tear off the home, keep the frame, take the wheels off with idea of putting them back on.

Frame is on the ground - fill the frame with concrete - put the wheels back on - tow it to the creek - put it in place.