Bridge users regularly slip when surveying older bridges. It is only their agility which saves the day
Leaf litter, algal growth, dog-mess and dampness can reduce untreated decks to an ice rink. Especially on hardwood decks.
The introduction of grooving was a great help
Clearly grooves are only effective if they are not over laid with litter,
As anti slip treatments became available the question of the most effective use of it arose. In the first instance the material was spread across the entire surface and before it cured aggregate was sprinkled onto it.
Handling t... Read More
What is cladding on a bridge?
Occasionally we are asked to make a bridge with steel beams look like a timber one.
It Surprises us how people feel galvanized steel finish is out of place in the countryside. virtually every field gate and kissing gate is galvanized.
We don't have these feelings as Engineers.
Ever eager to supply what our clients want, we naturally conceal the beams. This process is called cladding.
in order to inspect the bridge, the cladding needs to be capable of being removed.
This can be a costly process involving scaffolds and the disturbance of wildlife (bats).
B... Read More
Why use Steel and Timber Bridges?
Our name is missleading!
We are on of the major suppliers of bridges with steel beams and timber deck and parapets.
As the bridges get longer the use of timber beams becomes an issue.
The stiffness of the beam is achived, as the span increased, by incresing the depth of the beams and/or the thickness of the beams.
The beams get huge and become hard for our kit bridge useres to manage on site.
Our prefered installers mutter darkly when given bridges with huge beams.
In softwood we run into 3 issues.
Firstly:
The avaliablity of beaming in... Read More
Steel and Timber Bridges
The name of our firm is misleading!
We are one of the major supliers of bridges with steel beams
As bridges get longer the use of timber beams becomes an issue
The stiffness is achived as the span increses, by increseing the thickness of the beams and/or incresing the depth of the beams.
The beams get huge and are difficult for our kit bridge useres to manage on site.
our prefered installers mutter darkly when given bridges with huge beams.
In softwood we run into 3 issues.
Fi... Read More
Wood
Two kinds of timber is commonly used by bridge engineers. Softwood and Hardwood.
Softwood is more economical. It comes form Scandinavia and the Baltic States. It is farmed there on a massive scale and absorbes huge amounts of carbon.
The two most common species used are Douglas Fir and Redwood. Douglas Fir is stronger and has a natural preservative in it. Redwood is used for the parts which come into contact with the user as it planes up better than the Douglas Fir.
All our softwood is stress grades C24 and it is all tanalised after machining to maximise its life.... Read More
No placeforplastics
It is simply wrong to delberately place plastics in the environment. Paticularly those places we need to keep un poluted. They will eventually break down and perneantly degrade our world.
Some misguided people believe it is "green" to use recycled plastic instead of timber for access provision. We are actually using our special places as a store for waste plastic
It uses lots of energy and more polymer to convert the waste into a "usable" form. In this form it is variable in quality and performance.
Laughably these recyced plastics are much more expensive... Read More
Another satisfied Client!
After he laid the final deck board the volunteer Project Manager from a Cricket Club tap dances with delight.
We love working with volunteer groups and have a long track record doing it.
Building bridges is a hugely satisfying group activity and builds memories which last forever.
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Who uses our bridges?
At The Wooden Bridge Company we provide bridges for many different users.
These include Pedestrians, Cyclists, Horseriders, Golfers (in buggies) and all types of vehicle.
The height and style of parapet will vary with the user type and the safety standard required. The above image for example is a Bridleway Bridge. It has a parapet 1.8m high and the lower sectoion is close boarded to prevent the horses being spooked by unexpected things.
This deck is one of scores provided for a new golf course in Scotland. The Committee seem philosphical about losing Members and opted not... Read More
Work Experience
The Wooden Bridge Company and its parent firm have a long tradition, going back to 1986, of providing Work Experience to local kids.
The work we do allows them to learn real skills and to gain competence and confidence.
The downside is they make awful tea!
There is nothing like the glow of satisfaction the kids get when they see their job ready to be shipped to a customer
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