Need some advice on a bridge for the LIRR Industrial Service layout

[wazzou]

Think of it in terms of this bridge.  Different materials but same theory.  I built this bridge from photographs I took of the real one.

[Lemosteam]

@wazzou , yes I understand the massive support needs, but the system below handled a PRR four track main through NY, I think what I have is more than adequate.  The image below is what I am basing my layout premise on and the structure of my beams and cross beams:

[Chris333]

@wazzou , yes I understand the massive support needs, but the system below handled a PRR four track main through NY, I think what I have is more than adequate.  The image below is what I am basing my layout premise on and the structure of my beams and cross beams:

Just need the General Lee jumping over the gap. 

[Lemosteam]

@Chris333 that photo of the main being removed breaks my PRR heart.  I can only imagine that being used in its heyday.

[wazzou]

@Lemosteam -
John, I'm only referring to your structure as it pertains specifically to the plate girder bridge and it's support system.
I didn't mean to imply that the rest of the structure isn't what it should be but that one part does look a little hinky from an engineering standpoint.
The posting of my photo may have merited more explanation. 
Specifically in my photo, I was pointing out the support system under the ends of the girders only.

[DKS]

I agree with Bryan. That plate girder span is not properly supported; those brackets are insufficient to bear the load. They would fail either by twisting off or simply sheering off.



If it was me, I'd use stone piers, along the lines of this:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=465009&nseq=91

Make the tops of the piers stepped so they would fully support the ends of the viaduct as well as the plate girder bridge.

 

[wcfn100]

Here's a mix of stone and concrete block(?).

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/56969/

And another just stone.

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/369452/

Jason

[Lemosteam]

Here's a mix of stone and concrete block(?).

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/56969/

And another just stone.

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/369452/

Jason

These I think I can do without too much damage to the viaduct. 

[Lemosteam]

Ok everybody, you've convinced me.  Drew this up in CAD and turned it into a cutout, bend and fold:



Folded it up and started adding bricks, one by one...



Shaved off the old supports from the viaduct and temp assembled:




The piers will end up painted like the berm wall and recessed into the foam. What do you think, better?

[wazzou]

The piers will end up painted like the berm wall and recessed into the foam. What do you think, better?

Yep.   

[Chris333]

Looks good!  Where did you get the thin blocks?

[MK]

Much better!   

[Lemosteam]

Looks good!  Where did you get the thin blocks?

Thanks. Well, long story short, my oldest was under EEG testing for her seizure disorder for five days. I brought my wall mold and some casting materials, and instead of filling the mold, I filled just to the depth of the mortar joints in the mold FOR FIVE STRAIGHT DAYS. Breaking each brick as I pulled the hardened material out of the mold. Her nurses thought I was nuts. The box in the first photo was full when I was done.  Used them to make the stone cap on the walls. These were the leftovers.

[bdennis]

Like the idea of the folded card stock for the base..
Nice work.

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks. Well, long story short, my oldest was under EEG testing for her seizure disorder for five days. I brought my wall mold and some casting materials, and instead of filling the mold, I filled just to the depth of the mortar joints in the mold FOR FIVE STRAIGHT DAYS. Breaking each brick as I pulled the hardened material out of the mold. Her nurses thought I was nuts. The box in the first photo was full when I was done.  Used them to make the stone cap on the walls. These were the leftovers.

Dang, that looks good, both in structural concept and in execution. Five days? Wow. The nurses were wrong, it probably kept you from going nuts. Hope she'll be okay...
Best,
Otto