TRAIL BRIDGES 101

INTRODUCTION TO BASIC
CONSIDERATIONS AND DESIGN TYPES
TRI-STATE COMPANY,INC. [WV003332]
PO BOX 419
LESAGE, WV 25537-0419
www.tri-statecompany.com
Tribute to Scott Paul 1953-1994 [killed building a cable suspension
bridge on the west coast], by Carroll Vogel [D. 5July 2010]
The Bridge Builders Art: A Tribute to Carroll Vogel
By Gerry Wilbour, Professional Trailbuilders Association

Bridges and trails are a metaphor for the human experience. They
carry us across seemingly impossible terrain and bring worlds
together. Trails, like the continuum of our lives, carry us to and
through the great diversity of the earth. Old growth forest, sub-alpine
meadow, storm-lashed shore; all linked by trails that rest on the
landscape like pathways through time. And the bridges, especially
backcountry bridges, allow us to vault chasms that divide, permitting
us to experience worlds that seem near enough to touch, but
impossible to attain. Simple in form and function, with a singleness of
purpose unchanged since the dawn of human history when primitive
humans opportunistically traversed a fallen log to reach new land,
fresh opportunity. It is no wonder that bridges have come to symbolize
human aspirations and folly, and a few to represent some of the
greatest achievements of human engineering endeavor.
"Bridges remind us of what it means to be human, to be perpetually
reaching out for unachievable objectives, to dream, but to dream our
dreams in the reality of the present, while fully awake. Great bridges
are grand engineering and architectural masterpieces and building
them is amongst the most challenging of construction endeavors.

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ELIZABETH FURNACE TRAIL BRIDGE OVER PASSAGE CREEK, NEAR FRONT ROYAL, VA.
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APPLE ORCHARD FALLS TRAIL BRIDGE OFF OF THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY 4
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COAL MINING HERITAGE PARK, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, VA.
 WHY DO WE NEED BRIDGES?

GAPS: CAN BE WET OR DRY,

RAVINES,CREEKS,WET LANDS:IE.
MARSHES,STEEP SIDE SLOPE AREAS
OBSTACLES: ROCK SLIDES,SCREE
SLOPES,SAFETY CONCERNS,WET
SLICK AREAS,OTHER
TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS

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SOMETIMES SOLUTIONS ARE BELOW GRADE, PED/BIKE TUNNEL US 35
MILE 30 ON THE KANAWHA TRACE, 240 FEET LONG

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WHY DO WE NEED BRIDGES
AS FOCAL POINTS: THEY ADD A SENSE OF
THREE DIMENSIONAL PRESENCE TO A
TRAIL SYSTEM, FREQUENTLY THEY
BECOME OBSERVATION AND RESTING
POINTS ALONG TRAILS, TRAILS ARE BY
NATURE ESSENTIALLY TWO DIMENSIONAL
CREATIONS, ANYTHING THAT ADDS A
THIRD DIMENSION TO A TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS
ITS EXISTENCE, THEY MAY BECOME
DESTINATION POINTS IN THEMSELVES

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 CONSIDERATIONS
COST:BRIDGES HAVE TWO LEVELS
OF COST, CONSTRUCTION AND
MAINTENANCE, THESE COST ARE
SPREAD OVER THE LIFE OF THE
BRIDGE, THE BETTER THE DESIGN;
TYPICALLY THE MORE EXPENSIVE TO
BUILD AND CORRESPONDINGLY LESS
COSTLY TO MAINTAIN

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 CONSIDERATIONS [CONT.]
HOW IS IT GOING TO BE BUILT: THAT IS, WHO IS
GOING TO BUILD IT? DOES THE CLUB OR
VOLUNTEER GROUP HAVE THE RESOURCES AND
EXPERIENCE TO DO THE JOB?
KIT BRIDGES VS. HOME MADE:LIKE EVERY
ARENA OF INTEREST, THERE ARE COMPANIES
THAT MAKE BRIDGES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF
THE TRAIL COMMUNITY. THESE BRIDGES ARE
TYPICALLY ENGINEERED AND MEET ALL THE
CURRENT DESIGN AND SAFETY STANDARDS.
THEY TEND TO BE EXPENSIVE, BUT, NORMALLY
HAVE LONGEVITY BUILT INTO THEM. HOME MADE
BRIDGES CAN BE AS WELL BUILT AS KIT BRIDGES,
BUT, REQUIRE AN EXPERIANCED CREW TO BUILD.

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 CONSIDERATIONS [CONT.]
SITE SELECTION: AS IN REAL ESTATE,
WITH BRIDGES ITS LOCATION,
LOCATION, LOCATION. THE BRIDGE
MUST BE PLACED SO THAT IT CAN
SURVIVE IN THE FLOOD PLAIN. TRY
TO FIND PLACES WHERE THE CREEK
IS STRAIGHT, BANKS RESISTANT TO
EROSION. RIP-RAP MAY NEED TO BE
ADDED.
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RIPRAP PLACEMENT

ROARING RUN RECREATION SITE 12

 CONSIDERATIONS [CONT.]
DETERMINE THE TYPICAL FLOOD
LEVEL: LOOK FOR FLOOD DEBRIS IN
LIMBS AND BRUSH, SCOUR MARKS
ON TREES AND ROCKS, GO TO THE
FEMA WEBSITE FOR 100 YEAR FLOOD
PLAIN MAPS AND DATA, THIS IS
ACTUALLY A REQUIREMENT IN THE
RTP GRANT PROCESS.

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BIG CABELL CREEK 100 YEAR FLOOD PLAIN

KANAWHA TRACE LAMINATED BEAM BRIDGE SITE

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BIG CABELL BRIDGE ABOVE THE 100
YEAR FLOOD PLAIN

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 CONSIDERATIONS [CONT.]
NON RIPARIAN BRIDGES: LOOK FOR
TREES OR ROCKS THAT MAY IMPACT
ON THE STRUCTURE, EVALUATE THE
SOIL TYPES AT THE ABUTMENT
POINTS ON THE STRUCTURE,
CONSIDER IMPACT OF POSSIBLE
FLASH FLOODING ON NORMALLY DRY
GAPS/RAVINES

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 CONSIDERATION SUMMARY
COST
ABILITY TO BUILD, GROUP
RESOURCES
MAINTENANCE COST
STANDARDS[ WE HAVENT DISCUSSED THIS YET]
100 YEAR FLOOD ELEVATION

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 TYPES OF BRIDGES
SIMPLE UNIT STRUCTURES: FOOT
LOGS, PUNCHEON BRIDGES, LOG
STRINGER/POLE BRIDGES, TIMBER
BRIDGES, TYPICALLY LOW SHORT
SPANS OVER GAPS OR SMALL
STREAMS, TYPES LIMITED ONLY BY
THE IMAGINATION AND INGENUITY OF
THE BUILDERS. THE APPEARANCE OF
THESE STUCTURES IS AS VARIED AS
THE BUILDERS.
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NATURAL STONE BRIDGE

CASCADES NATIONAL RECREATIONAL TRAIL 19

PUNCHEON BRIDGE AND BOX CRIB STEPS OVER SPRING
ON STEEP SIDEHILL SLOPE, MI. 4.98 KANAWHA TRACE 20
TYPES OF BRIDGES [CONT.]
DECK GIRDER/TRUSS BRIDGES:
TYPICALLY THESE BRIDGES HAVE A
SUB-STRUCTURE WITH THE DECK
MOUNTED ON THE GIRDERS OR
TRUSSES, THE RAILING IS THEN
ATTACHED TO THE SUB-STRUCTURE

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SUB-STRUCTURE OF LAUREL RUN BRIDGE, ALLEGHENY TRAIL 22
LAUREL RUN BRIDGE

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TYPES OF BRIDGES [CONT.]
SIDE GIRDER/TRUSS BRIDGES:
TYPICALLY THESE ARE
MANUFACTURED BRIDGES, THOUGH
RUDIMENTARY TRUSS BRIDGES
COULD BE BUILT WITH HEAVY
TIMBERS OR POLES. MOST OF THIS
TYPE ARE BUILT FROM STEEL.

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LONG MOUNTAIN TRAIL BRIDGE, HARDY COUNTY ,WV.
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TYPES OF BRIDGES [CONT.]
ARCH TYPE OR CABLE SUSPENSION:
THESE BRIDGES ARE VERY COMPLEX BUT
ABLE TO SPAN LARGE GAPS WHERE BEAM
OR TRUSS BRIDGES MEET THE LIMIT OF
THEIR CARRYING CAPACITY. THEY ARE
EXPENSIVE AND REQUIRE CONSIDERABLE
EXPERTISE TO BUILD, THEY ARE
PARTICULARLY ADEPT AT SURVIVING IN
THE FLOOD PLAIN, SINCE IT IS EASY TO
DESIGN THE DECK HEIGHT WELL ABOVE
THE STORM FLOW.

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ENWOOD UNIT STRUCTURES ARCH BRIDGE
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CABLE STAY BRIDGE, WASHINGTON STATE, BUILT BY CARROL VOGEL

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HIGH RES WALK THROUGH AVI BY RONNIE WILEY CLA
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CHARLES DUNDAS, DESIGNER
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TYPES OF BRIDGES [CONT.]
COVERED BRIDGES: THOUGH NOT
COMMON TODAY THEY ARE STILL
BEING BUILT. THE COVER PROVIDES
PROTECTION TO THE BRIDGE ITSELF
AND HAS AESTHETIC APPEAL, AS
WELL, AND MAY PROVIDE A DEGREE
OF HISTORICAL APPROPRIATNESS
DEPENDING ON ITS LOCATION.

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ENWOOD COVERED BRIDGE

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TYPES OF BRIDGES [CONT.]
NEW GENERATION MATERIALS/FIBER
GLASS MANUFACTURED BRIDGES:
THESE BRIDGES HAVE BECOME
INCREASING POPULAR DUE TO THE
FACT THEY ARE LIGHT WEIGHT, PRE-
ENGINEERED, LOW MAINTENANCE,
AND RELATIVELY EASY TO
CONSTRUCT.

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FIBER GLASS BRIDGE OFF BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY 34
E.T. TECHTONICS
TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
DEAD LOAD: THIS IS THE WEIGHT OF THE
BRIDGE COMPONENTS, BEAMS, DECKS,
RAILINGS INCLUSIVE. THE HEAVIER THE
BRIDGE COMPONENTS AND THE GREATER
THE SPAN, THE LESS LOAD THAT THE
STRUCTURE CAN CARRY. FOR EXAMPLE
THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED FREE SPAN
FOR GLULAM BEAMS IS FIFTY FEET.
GREATER THAN THAT AND EITHER THE
LIVE LOAD CAPABILITY OF THE BRIDGE IS
REDUCED OR ADDITIONAL BEAMS HAVE TO
BE ADDED.

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 TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
LIVE LOAD: THIS IS THE AMOUNT OF
WEIGHT PER SQUARE FOOT THAT THE
BRIDGE IS DESIGNED TO CARRY. THIS
LOAD WILL VARY ACCORDING TO THE
INTENDED USE OF THE BRIDGE. TYPICAL
LIVE LOADING FOR USFS PEDESTRIAN
BRIDGES IS 85 LBS. PER SQ. FOOT.
http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fpl_gtr19

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TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
MOMENT OF LOAD: THIS IS THE ACTUAL
LOAD MOVING ALONG THE STRUCTURE, A
HIKER OR MOUNTAIN BIKER FOR EXAMPLE.
BRIDGES ARE DYNAMIC STRUCTURES AND
REACT DIFFERENTLY ACCORDING TO
THEIR DESIGN TYPE. OFTEN DESIGNS
INCLUDE MECHANISMS TO SPREAD THE
MOMENT OF LOADS FORCE THROUGHOUT
THE STRUCTURE INSTEAD OF IT BEING
CONCENTRATED AT THE POINT OF
LOCATION.

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 REAL WORLD
CONSIDERATIONS OR
CHARLIES BRIDGE
BUILDING MAXIMS
CHARLIE LAW OF MAXIMUM LOADING: IF
THERE IS ROOM ON THE BRIDGE FOR 40
PEOPLE, AT SOME POINT IN TIME, 45
PEOPLE WILL BE THERE. AT THE SAME
TIME. THIS IS THE LOAD THAT YOU REALLY
HAVE TO PREPARED FOR.[GROUP PICTURE
FOR NON-BELIEVERS]

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 REAL WORLD
CONSIDERATIONS
CHARLIES 100 YEAR FLOOD RULE:
THE 100 YEAR FLOOD OCCURS MORE
FREQUENTLY THAN EVERY 100
YEARS, SOMETIMES IN SOUTHERN
WEST VIRGINIA IN CAN OCCUR TWICE
IN THE SAME MONTH AND SIX TIMES A
YEAR. SO I GUESS ITS THE 500 AND
1000 YEAR ONE THAT WE REALLY
NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR.
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NOTE HOW HIGH THE DEBRIS IN THE PLANTS TO THE LEFT
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 REAL WORLD
CONSIDERATIONS
CHARLIES RULE OF THE LEANING
TREE: IF THE TREE IS LEANING IN
SUCH A FASHION THAT IT MAY FALL
ON THE BRIDGE, BUT IS HEALTHY
AND SOUND, CUT IT ANYWAY
BECAUSE TEN YEARS FROM NOW
GRAVITY WILL WIN AND YOU AND THE
BRIDGE WILL LOSE. [AT THIS POINT TREE
HUGGERS ARE PERMITTED TO THROW TANTRUMS.]

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LITTLE STONEY CREEK
BRIDGE 1992

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LITTLE STONY BRIDGE, 2010
BASIC CONSTRUCTION RULES
STANDARDS
USE APPROPRIATE MATERIAL: USE
ROT RESISTANT TREATED LUMBER
AND TIMBERS OR FIBERGLASS OR
STEEL, USE HOT DIPPED
GALVANIZED, STAINLESS STEEL, OR
RUST RESISTANT FASTENERS, USE
BOLTS, LAG BOLTS OR SCREWS
WHERE POSSIBLE VICE NAILS, RE-
TREAT ALL DRILL HOLES AND FIELD
CUTS WITH COPPER NAPTHANATE.
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 THE SECRET CODE
ROUGH SAWN: NON FINISHED MATERIAL TYPICALLY SAW
MILL LUMBER.
S4S: SURFACED OR MILLED ON FOUR SIDES, MATERIAL
TYPICALLY PURCHASED AT LOWES OR HOME DEPOT.
S2S1E: SURFACED ON TWO SIDES AND ONE EDGE [THE
UNFINISHED EDGE LEFT ROUGH FOR A NON SKID SURFACE].
S1S2E: SURFACED ON ONE SIDE AND TWO EDGES [ONE
SIDE LEFT ROUGH FOR NON SKID SURFACE].
GRADES: NUMBER 2, NUMBER 1 OR BETTER,
ARCHITECTURAL SELECT.
TREATMENT: PCF OF RETENTION, CREOSOTE, PENTA,
CCA, ACQ, ACZA, CA-B, DOT.
NATURALLY ROT RESISTANT WOOD: WESTERN RED
CEDAR, BLACK LOCUST.
COPPER NAPTHANATE PAINTED CUTS AND DRILL HOLES
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BASIC CONSTRUCTION RULES

RAILING HEIGHT: ONE OF THE MOST

VIOLATED STANDARDS AND SAFETY
FEATURES BY VOLUNTEER CREWS.
RAILING HEIGHT FOR PEDESTRIAN
BRIDGES 42 INCHES, 54 INCHES FOR
EQUESTRIAN AND BIKING USE TO
INCLUDE A RUB RAIL

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54 HIGH RAIL ON LEFT WITH RUB RAIL AND 42 INCH RAIL ON RIGHT

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BASIC CONSTRUCTION RULES
DETERMINE THE SAFE LOAD BEARING
SPAN FOR THE MATERIAL THAT YOU ARE
USING AS STRINGERS OR BETTER YET
OBTAIN THE CORRECT SIZE MATERIAL:
TYPICALLY THE LONGER THE FREE SPAN
THE LESS LIVE LOAD THAT A BEAM WILL
CARRY AND CORRESPONDINGLY THE
LARGER THE BEAMS NEED TO BE UNTIL AT
ABOUT 50 FEET THE CAPACITY OF THE
BEAMS DEMINISHES TO THE POINT THAT
ADDITIONAL BEAMS ARE NEEDED.
http://www.awc.org/pdf/wsdd/c2b.pdf

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THREE 77 FOOT LONG BEAMS, CACADES NRT, PEMBROKE, VA.
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WEIGH APPROXIMATELY 8000 LBS, EACH
FINISHED BRIDGE AT CASCADES
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LITTLE CABELL BRIDGE, KANAWHA TRACE, MILE 5.1
KNEE BRACES REDUCE THE FREE SPAN FROM 60 TO 50 FEET
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 ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES
ADA: IN THEORY, ALL NEW TRAIL CONSTRUCTION,
ESPECIALLY INVOLVING FEDERAL FUNDING, IS TO
BE ACCESSIBLE. HOWEVER, THE REALITY IS THAT
MANY TRAILS WILL NEVER MEET ADA GUIDE
LINES AND NEW STANDARDS ARE BEING
PROPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES ACCESS
BOARD, THESE NEW GUIDELINES WILL APPLY TO
TRAILS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACCESS ROUTES
[ORAR]. THESE STANDARDS ARE LESS
STRINGENT AND RECOGNIZE THAT THERE CAN BE
LIMITED CHALLENGE ACCEPTABLE IN THE
RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF THE DISABLED
AND RECOGNIZE THE UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS
OF THE OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT.

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ACCESSIBLE APPROACHES TO THE LONG MOUNTAIN TRAIL BRIDGE
[GREAT EASTERN TRAIL] THE TRAIL ITSELF IS NOT ACCESSIBLE
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NEW CURVILINEAR TRAIL BRIDGE ON THE ACCESSIBLE TRAIL
CAMP ARROWHEAD, BSA, ONA, WV[ORAR] STANDARD
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APPROACHES TO CURVILINEAR BRIDGE AT CAMP ARROWHEAD
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 SUMMARY
BRIDGES CAN BE COMPLEX OR SIMPLE,
THEY CAN BE INTRUSIVE OR ARTFUL.
THEY MUST BE FUNCTIONAL AND SAFE,
AND FINALLY THEY ADD TO THE
PRESENCE OF THE TRAIL
 A TALE OF TWO DEFINITIONS
OR WHAT A DIFFERENCE A FOOT WILL MAKE
BEAVER CREEK GORGE BRIDGE, ALLEGHENY TRAIL,
MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST [PREFAB STEEL BRIDGE
DELIVERED BY HELICOPTER] 1990
THE USFS DEFINITION OF THE LENGTH OF A BRIDGE IS THE
DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BEARING POINTS, FOR EXAMPLE
90 FEET AT BEAVER CREEK GORGE.
THE DEFINITION OF THE LENGTH OF A BRIDGE OR BRIDGE
BEAM BY MOST BRIDGE COMPANIES IS THE DISTANCE
BETWEEN THE TWO OUTSIDE LAST VERTICAL SURFACES ON
THE LONG AXIS OF THE BRIDGE.
THE TYPICAL OFFSET OF BEARING POINTS ON BEAMS OR
PREFAB BRIDGES IS SIX INCHES.
HOW LONG SHOULD THE BRIDGE BE TO FIT ON THE
ABUTMENTS AND BEARING POINTS?
BEAVER CREEK GORGE
BRIDGE

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SETTING BEAM AT ROARING RUN
SETTING GLULAM BEAMS BY HELICOPTER LITTLE STONY NRT
GWJEFF NF , VA.
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 QUESTIONS?
HOPEFULLY SEE YOU IN BRIDGES 103

OH AND AWWWHH!: THERE WE CAN

FOLLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEVERAL
BRIDGES FROM BEGINNING TO END.
FREQUENTLY OUR STRUCTURES HAVE
BEEN REFFERED TO AS FUNCTIONAL
WORKS OF ART
LAUREL RUN
ELIZABETH FURNACE
LONG MOUNTAIN TRAIL BRIDGE
APPLE ORCHARD FALLS
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 THE END
HOW TO REACH US:
EMAIL: tristate@ntelos.net
WEBSITE: www.tri-statecompany.com
PHONE/FAX: 304-736-2110
WEST VIRGINIA CL# 003332
VA CL# 2705 135185A
POC: CHARLES L. DUNDAS, PRES.

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