Railway sleeper strength

[Maxhead]

Bit of a different question but Mr Google is no help.

I’m thinking of building a bridge over a small creek and I’m thinking of using 4 ironbark (230x120) AAA grade railway sleepers as the main support beams.

I’ve already got 200x50 ironbark planks to go on top.the bridge will only be 2.4 x 2.4 with concrete footings on each side.

My question is, will that support a car, small tractor or small truck?
Any idea how much weight this setup would support?

Thanks gents


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[growler2058]

Yeah no probs mate! Go for it

[rusty_nail]

@MB this is your forte mate

[Plasnart]

AS1684.2 span tables to be sure, but sleepers don't get a gig. If it can't be spec'd it's a guess.
Sure, drive ya tractor over it Krisso no wukkas!

[NissanGQ4.2]

Nah I really don't think you should risk it, happy 2 grab those sleepers off you 2 use as firewood though *L*

[Maxhead]

Nah I really don't think you should risk it, happy 2 grab those sleepers off you 2 use as firewood though *L*

I was building this bridge for you, so you can get to the magic camp spot at Chrissy


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[Maxhead]

AS1684.2 span tables to be sure, but sleepers don't get a gig. If it can't be spec'd it's a guess.
Sure, drive ya tractor over it Krisso no wukkas!

Well, that’s what I was ganna do! Build it, then just try it.
Everyone I know sais It would hold a tank up!


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[MB]

If you can Krisso Mate try and see if your supplier has ‘Turnout’ railway sleepers. They are generally longer for where the old tracks used to part off from a single line to two. Their main benefit for your bridge would be they are a bit thicker, something like 250x150 and in a AAA would handle heaps on their edge.


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[Maxhead]

If you can Krisso Mate try and see if your supplier has ‘Turnout’ railway sleepers. They are generally longer for where the old tracks used to part off from a single line to two. Their main benefit for your bridge would be they are a bit thicker, something like 250x150 and in a AAA would handle heaps on their edge.


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Yeah righto, I’ll ask my supplier. I never heard of them but that sounds awesome.
My other idea was to use railway track as main support beams but it would be harder to work with I reckon, and an over kill probably…lol


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[MB]

Unfortunately they can be a little hard to find sometimes and pull a decent price as the architects love them for big feature beams at pub beer gardens etc….
Worth considering good old Gumtree for possibly a ripper deal on a pair of steel H or I beams floating around a farmer’s paddock.
Not sure about your block but steel would be our best option down here in the Termite Hills, little pricks of things


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