Single Span Bridge - Noobie Question

[PlanetEdam]

Greetings Bridge Engineers,

Reading the posts I think I am in the right forum. I am an automation engineer more at home with robots and the like and I have a problem that you may be able to help with.

I need to span a large machine to carry a mechanical axis (mine) which will have to be made in segments. Now, the bridge is effectively 15m long (that's long for me) and will carry around 30Kg and must be as a single span supported at either end.

Available to me is aluminium extrusion, steel of various shapes etc all in shorter than 15m lengths. So, remembering my pin-jointed frame stuff from university, I was thinking of using two wide and thin pieces of aluminium to form the top and bottom with diagonal stringers (see i'm learning) between these and thought to use them to 'cross' over the joints that will have to be at 6m sections. Essentially, it'll look like an 'I' beam. How does that sound?

Are there any useful resources, design tools that may help. Available to me is solidworks and pens/pencils!

Any help will be greatly received, thank you.

 

[Qshake]

I'm afraid that the only solid advice I can offer is to find yourself a local structural engineer and barter with him/her to provide you with a good design.

No design aid/tools can replace the experience necessary in safely spanning a site.

I know that's probably not what you want, just the reality of it.

Good luck.

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[Zambo]

is the load 30kg or 300kg?

 

[RonRoberts]

Maybe a stage truss would work for you. There are several different manufacturers. I added a link for one of them.

Ron

 

[PlanetEdam]

Thanks to everyone on this thread, I have something to go on and I shall indeed demand that my local structural person provides me with help I will trade football tickets!!

You've all been brilliant - and it's 30Kg not 300Kg small fry for you chaps

I may even post what we come up with! All the best.