pedestrian pier construction
pedestrian pier construction
(OP)
My county rehabbed a section of an old bridge to serve as a fishing pier. It was done several years ago by public works (not a contractor) under a cloud of scandal concerning illegal dumping, etc.
At any rate what they have is 3x8 nominal (2.5 x 7.25 actual) joists on 24" centers spanning 13'-1". Atop that is 2x6 decking. I believe the wood is all #2 PT SYP, typical here in Florida.
I'm an engineer but not a structural engineer.
My questions are what is the live load for this service - some surfing suggested 85 psf, and is the described construction adequate to the service?
My concern is that one of these years we'll have a better than average shrimp run on the river and the pier will attract crowds of families...
I don't want to make trouble for the county but want to assure myself of the pier's safety.
At any rate what they have is 3x8 nominal (2.5 x 7.25 actual) joists on 24" centers spanning 13'-1". Atop that is 2x6 decking. I believe the wood is all #2 PT SYP, typical here in Florida.
I'm an engineer but not a structural engineer.
My questions are what is the live load for this service - some surfing suggested 85 psf, and is the described construction adequate to the service?
My concern is that one of these years we'll have a better than average shrimp run on the river and the pier will attract crowds of families...
I don't want to make trouble for the county but want to assure myself of the pier's safety.






RE: pedestrian pier construction
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: pedestrian pier construction
If trucks can drive on it would no HS20 truck live load apply? Are there "pier" codes out there?
RE: pedestrian pier construction
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: pedestrian pier construction
Pier is strictly for walking and is not configured for boat docking other than at one spot too shallow for all but one or two small recreational vessels.
Pier has a barricade blocking wheeled traffic, although I'm sure the county gets out on it with light weight offroad maintenance vehicles such as a Mule.
County learned the hard way during rehab not to drive out on it - one of their F350s dropped its front end through the deck boards - a pier bent saved it from dropping all the way in.
Any idea how to determine the suitability of 3x8 joists, 24" OC for this service? All the span tables I've browsed consider only 2x lumber.
Thanks again!
RE: pedestrian pier construction
BA