simple tank bridge
#1
Thread Starter

<div>Simple (Tank) Bridge</div><div>1924 design, built 1926</div><div></div><div>I used these plans as a guide to build this 1/16 scale model . I then altered the finished shape and size to fit my materials and application. My finished bridge is 14 scale feet wide and 20 scale feet long. This gives a clear span of 18 scale feet.. 10 ½ inches wide by 15 inches long.</div><div></div>
<a href="http://www.arkansashighways.com/historic_bridge/Early%20Standard%20Bridge%20Plans/Steel%20Multi%20Beam/30'%20Steel%20Multi-%20Beam%20-%2020'%20roadway%20(1926).pdf">http://www.arkansashighways.com/historic_bridge/Early%20Standard%20Bridge%20Plans/Steel%20Multi%20Beam/30'%20Steel%20Multi-%20Beam%20-%2020'%20roadway%20(1926).pdf
<br type="_moz" /></a>
#2
Thread Starter

<div><div><div>I used ABS plumbers glue to assemble the structural frame from ABS I beams.</div></div></div><div>
<div><div>The I beams are 2 scale feet on center. The plans show a wood deck so I used Oak and Mahogany planks I ripped down from scrap wood. Mixing the wood types was necessary to have enough material to complete the deck. It gives it a “repaired” look.</div><div>I used a gel type CA glue to attach the wood to the ABS I beam joists.</div></div></div><div></div><div></div>
<div><div>The I beams are 2 scale feet on center. The plans show a wood deck so I used Oak and Mahogany planks I ripped down from scrap wood. Mixing the wood types was necessary to have enough material to complete the deck. It gives it a “repaired” look.</div><div>I used a gel type CA glue to attach the wood to the ABS I beam joists.</div></div></div><div></div><div></div>
#3
Thread Starter

The finished bridge…<div></div><div>I cut bridge foundations from some left over “Trex” plastic decking. It looks kinda like concrete.</div><div></div>
#4
Thread Starter

Some detail shots…<div></div><div></div><div>The ABS comes in grey, I painted it with a red primer to give it the red iron look.</div><div></div><div></div><div>The underside…</div><div></div>
#5
Thread Starter

Load testing…
Data:Live loads-
Uniform = .2 lbs / sq. inch
Concentrated = 3 lbs / sq. inch
Measured deflection at max. load 1/16 inch at center of span.
Data:Live loads-
Uniform = .2 lbs / sq. inch
Concentrated = 3 lbs / sq. inch
Measured deflection at max. load 1/16 inch at center of span.
#6
Thread Starter

Setup outside for pictures…<div></div><div></div><div>I plan to do one more like this but with a solid ABS deck with side pans so the road base, dirt, sand, etc… can be graded across the bridge. This will eliminate the wood making the bridge weather resistant. I can also do a concrete roadway if I want to.</div><div></div>
#7
Thread Starter

<div>After that I plan to tackle this one in ABS in 1 /16 scale…</div><div></div><div>It will have a concrete roadway.</div><div></div><div>All this just to play with my tanks.
I found these plans here...</div><div></div>
http://www.arkansashighways.com/hist...dge_plans.aspx<br type="_moz" />
#8
look great nice job
my bridge is not as nice as yours it can hold a lot of weight the base is is a 2''x12''...lol
it's 27'' long and 11.25'' wide had to make it wide enough to get a Pershing acrossed it, just made from wood that i had around the garage and picture hanging wire for the cables
my bridge is not as nice as yours it can hold a lot of weight the base is is a 2''x12''...lol
it's 27'' long and 11.25'' wide had to make it wide enough to get a Pershing acrossed it, just made from wood that i had around the garage and picture hanging wire for the cables
#10
Thread Starter

Thanks. These tanks need things to fight over... Capture and hold the bridge is a fun game for me and the boy.
I wanted a period correct scale bridge to replace the plywood one we have used for years. This is a practice run for the bigger one I plan to build later.
I wanted a period correct scale bridge to replace the plywood one we have used for years. This is a practice run for the bigger one I plan to build later.
#14
Thread Starter

I like bridges too.
I did this one a couple of years ago with no plans from all wood. I just made it up as I went along. With it being all wood I am not willing to leave it outside for long in any weather. Now I am planing to use these old plans to build one out of ABS that can take weather, rain, snow, sun etc... and still look good, time period and scale correct.
I did this one a couple of years ago with no plans from all wood. I just made it up as I went along. With it being all wood I am not willing to leave it outside for long in any weather. Now I am planing to use these old plans to build one out of ABS that can take weather, rain, snow, sun etc... and still look good, time period and scale correct.
#16
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From: Lakewood,
CA
very cool~!!!!! i just took apart an old oak entertainment center with lots of long planking for bridges, buildings and anything else to scale to storm and capture!
Thanks for the proper scale measurments! i have a space 25' x 35' of concrete and another 40' x 75' behind the garage in the back yard thats now open since the trampoline, skate board ramps, quads, dirtbikes, bycycles and go cart are either sold or in stowed away out of the way for tank battles! the only oppositoin will be dirt and mudd protecting their lair....
Thanks for the proper scale measurments! i have a space 25' x 35' of concrete and another 40' x 75' behind the garage in the back yard thats now open since the trampoline, skate board ramps, quads, dirtbikes, bycycles and go cart are either sold or in stowed away out of the way for tank battles! the only oppositoin will be dirt and mudd protecting their lair....
#17
Thread Starter

Dirt and Mudd are cool. I have watched those critters in the wild, I think they may be smarter than us...<div></div><div>I love scale modeling of all kinds but the engineering involved inbridgesis unlike most structures. With RC tanks in my house the NEED for cool bridges became all too apparent to me. I use the wood pony truss as my tank shelf in the basement and have a plywood one outside in my "Tankland" that is the same size. That is why the wood bridge is pictured with the little guy but notdestroyedby rain or snow yet. It still looks as good as it did in that photo shoot cause it lives indoors and a chunk of plywood takes it's place most of the time.</div><div></div><div>Now I plan to explore ABS as a building material so I can get pictures and movies of my tanks outside crossing a bridge in the snow...</div><div></div><div>I haveGoogled, and many of the bridges in Russia and Poland look like these from Arkansas.</div>
#18
Thread Starter

ORIGINAL: Airbrushler
had to make it wide enough to get a Pershing acrossed it,
had to make it wide enough to get a Pershing acrossed it,
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#19
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From: Lakewood,
CA
dont get any snow and not much rain 70 all year long the tortise will go and hibernate in a few more weeks until march. right now dirt is digging everywhere, right in the middle of my tank battle layout out back! so we stick to the concrete for now...being so new to this hobby tryhing to get as much scale info as possible. always had an interest in WW II and with the winds lkicking up its been hard flying my helicopters!
#20
Thread Starter

Scrooem
I used to live "out that way" and know about your mild winters. Tanking in snow is very fun, the tracks they leave are cool looking, and the snow lends a scale foreground for the tanks that looks good in pix.
Take your tanks up to Baldy this winter, or if the traffic isn't too bad go up Azusa Canyon and play at Crystal Lake. Tanks in snow are fun.
I used to live "out that way" and know about your mild winters. Tanking in snow is very fun, the tracks they leave are cool looking, and the snow lends a scale foreground for the tanks that looks good in pix.
Take your tanks up to Baldy this winter, or if the traffic isn't too bad go up Azusa Canyon and play at Crystal Lake. Tanks in snow are fun.
#21
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From: Lakewood,
CA
haha its been a while since you have been out here. i used to camp at crystal lake back in the 80's but its been closed since 1998 due to a fire and subsiquent rock slides...but yes i will head to the mts for some pics...not sure if my so cal thin blood will keep me warm haha!!!!
#22
Thread Starter

Closed?! Hwy 39?
Bummer for you all. Go to Big Bear then. They could not have burned and closed it... right?
Bummer for you all. Go to Big Bear then. They could not have burned and closed it... right?
#23
Thread Starter

Scrooem
Did ya ever do the hike up the east fork of the San Gabriel to see the " Bridge to Nowhere"?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_...iel_Mountains)
I did. I like bridges that much.<br type="_moz" />
Did ya ever do the hike up the east fork of the San Gabriel to see the " Bridge to Nowhere"?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_...iel_Mountains)
I did. I like bridges that much.<br type="_moz" />
#24
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From: Lakewood,
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yeah they did, some kids were screwing around caught the place on fire. everything is closed past the east fork. although i do have to say that they really cleaned up between the freeway and the opening of the mts. but the problem is still way too many people in a limited space....
once we rode our bikes hiked from the beach along beach blvd all the way to crystal lake then hiked to the top of the windy gap trail, back when i was young......
once we rode our bikes hiked from the beach along beach blvd all the way to crystal lake then hiked to the top of the windy gap trail, back when i was young......
#25
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Pah co:
Why not get some matt clearcoat, and waterproof the poor beastie (the BRIDGE, not the turtles!) Its what I'll be doing after I complete mine... or use my thinned epoxy method to soak the waterproofing in and bond the joints, then use a matt clearcoat.
Oh, salvaged a wonderful 12" x 1" x approx. 60" piece of untreated hardwood shelving someone was tossing. Gonna rip it down later today (as its now Sunday here) and it will become the main framing pieces for my bridge. I'm going to slowly go through all those bridge plans, and see which ones appeal to me. As much as I'd like to make a Bailey-style bridge, that would be more appropriate for Plastruct assembly.
For color variation, heck, thats using the selfsame popsicle/planks, and just using different wood stain concentrations. Do one batch at 33% dilution, one at 66% dilution, and the last at pure stain. If you cant afford stain (or want summat easier) use my old standby: Dollar Store latex paint, which dilutes with water, and for a buck or two a bottle, you could by a few variations of brown/tan, and even mix a few more!
I like the idea of the picture-hanging wire stiffeners... and the above-roadbed trusses (leaves more room underneath for the riverbed or another road there) and would make it look more Remagen-ish... (yea, I know the one in the movie was a metal-framed bridge w/ wood planking)
I've also pondered making it in 4 sections of 2 foot each... so I can vary the length as needed, the center of the span could be placed higher than the ends, and transport would be easier than a single 4' section would. As a 'sectional' I could make 30 & 60 degree angle inserts for the approach ramps - attachment made with piano hinges or the like. It would also mean I can expand the bridge at will (or mate it to others if the same interlock format is used)
Then again, I could make the 4' section as well... hmmm...
WhiteWolf
Why not get some matt clearcoat, and waterproof the poor beastie (the BRIDGE, not the turtles!) Its what I'll be doing after I complete mine... or use my thinned epoxy method to soak the waterproofing in and bond the joints, then use a matt clearcoat.
Oh, salvaged a wonderful 12" x 1" x approx. 60" piece of untreated hardwood shelving someone was tossing. Gonna rip it down later today (as its now Sunday here) and it will become the main framing pieces for my bridge. I'm going to slowly go through all those bridge plans, and see which ones appeal to me. As much as I'd like to make a Bailey-style bridge, that would be more appropriate for Plastruct assembly.
For color variation, heck, thats using the selfsame popsicle/planks, and just using different wood stain concentrations. Do one batch at 33% dilution, one at 66% dilution, and the last at pure stain. If you cant afford stain (or want summat easier) use my old standby: Dollar Store latex paint, which dilutes with water, and for a buck or two a bottle, you could by a few variations of brown/tan, and even mix a few more!
I like the idea of the picture-hanging wire stiffeners... and the above-roadbed trusses (leaves more room underneath for the riverbed or another road there) and would make it look more Remagen-ish... (yea, I know the one in the movie was a metal-framed bridge w/ wood planking)
I've also pondered making it in 4 sections of 2 foot each... so I can vary the length as needed, the center of the span could be placed higher than the ends, and transport would be easier than a single 4' section would. As a 'sectional' I could make 30 & 60 degree angle inserts for the approach ramps - attachment made with piano hinges or the like. It would also mean I can expand the bridge at will (or mate it to others if the same interlock format is used)
Then again, I could make the 4' section as well... hmmm...
WhiteWolf


