Rigidply Rafters, Inc. Glu-Lam Products - Bridges
The impressive architecture and strength of Rigidply’s wood timber bridges offer many advantages over other types of bridge construction. Often more economical than concrete or steel, Glue Laminated Wood Bridge construction includes a variety of materials to create a wide range of styles and shapes. Preservative treated GluLam structural wood timbers also offer a life expectancy of three times that of steel or concrete. Pedestrian bridges, light traffic bridges, and up to public D.O.T. bridges are all utilizing more wood components than ever before.
Wood: Southern Yellow Pine and Red Maple are currently the two most popular options in wood bridge construction, with Southern Yellow Pine being the most prevalent. Both materials can be used to construct glue laminated wood timbers and related products, and both can be treated with a variety of preservative treatments. Alasken Yellow Cedar is also becoming a popular option for bridge decking, curb, and and systems.
Preservative Treatments: Various preservative treatments including the traditional CCA and Pentachlorophenol (Penta) treatments as well as specialty treatments such as Creosote can be used.
Laminated Beams: Glue laminated wood beams can be produced either as straight or curved beams. Utilizing current industry standards including those published by AITC and ASTM, Rigidply’s laminated beams can be manufactured to satisfy a wide range of structural and aesthetic requirements.
Bridge Decks: Preservative treated wood decks offer many advantages over traditional decking materials such as concrete and steel. Wood decking has an exceptional life expectancy, and provides a structure much more capable of handling the loading and movement created by bridge traffic. Rigidply offers a variety of bridge decking products including treated wood 2x6 and 2x8 Southern Yellow Pine decking, 2x6 and 2x8 Alaskan Yellow Cedar, and the larger glue laminated Southern Yellow Pine and Red Maple structural decking products. Wood decking can be designed and applied as transverse or longitudinal, and can be used in combination with wood, steel or concrete support structures. Wood decking also provides an excellent structure to accept the various paving products common used today. The economy, strength, and life expectancy of wood decking products make them an easy choice for many bridge applications.
Wood Bridge Accessory Products: Wood bridge rail and curb systems are available to meet your architectural and functional requirements and specifications. As with other wood products, an almost limitless variety of shapes, sizes, and designs are possible. And, all related bridge hardware and fasteners are available from Rigidply to assure your project is done on time and with hardware that matches the “look” and functional needs of your structure.
Rigidply Engineering and Service: Rigidply offers a unique “one stop” bridge program by supplying design and erection drawings, by fabricating all your wood components, by supplying all related hardware and fasteners, and by delivering your project on time to your jobsite. With smaller pedestrian bridges, Rigidply will even ship the bridge pre-assembled to further expedite your project. Rigidply’s in-house team of engineers and service personnel are available to help you take your project from an idea to its completion.
Call Rigidply Rafters, Inc. today at 717-866-6581 to discuss your project!
