Thinking of building a viaduct

[Martino]

I have a need for a low brick or stone viaduct. I'd like to make my own, but have no experience of casting in concrete.

I know there are some commercial (Tuxcraft) ready built sections in the UK, but as I'm in the USofA, that's probably impractical.

Does anyone know of a source of moulds, that i could obtain and then produce my own sections? I need straight and curved and I have quite a long run that I want to create.

Any ideas?

 

[Philbahn]

Hi Martino this is mine 12feet long and 30inches high

 

[Philbahn]

Here a picture of the form work (shuttering). The arches are 8" radius. The legs taper from 6" to 4" across the width and 4" to 3" the other way. On the top a 1" return 1" deep was made making the topabout 7" wide. All the formwork was 10mm MDF. I think if I was to do it again I would look to either lining the mould with embossed plastic brick work or stone sheeting. Or maybe glue wire inside to give the effect of mortar lines. The same thing applies to curves but don't forget that when you do radii you are working with more than one so the jigsaw or bandsaw get a lot of use.
BTW it was all cast in position
Hope to see your vesion soon. Phi

l

 

[trammayo]

Hi, I may have posted this before but cannot remember where!

I made my own moulds and everything is cast in modular form. The piers were cast for a double track viaduct but the slabs (decking) and arches would suit a bridge or a single track viaduct.
The only thing to remember is to add some re-inforcing and to make a decent mix - 1 cement to four coarse sand. I hope the pics will explain but I will answer any questions you have. The only thing I would do differently is to scribe the mortar lines on the arch faces more accurately!

Mick

 

[trammayo]

I tried to upload the drawing but didn't succeed - try again. Didn't work - need to make smaller?
Here's some more pics.

 

[trammayo]

Hi - tried again with drawing - scanned as picture but unable to resize yet. The drawing explains all but I'm a numb nutz when it come to things like the computer. Basically, the piers and the deck slabs crate a "stone-age" clapper bridge and the arch "slabs" simply rest on the pier shoulders. The arch slabs are thicker at the base (up to the laid height of the decking slabs) and then the whole viaduct deck is skimmed with mortar - tieing in all components and waterproofing the deck.
If I ever figure out how to resize the drawing I'll post it!

Mick

 

[trammayo]

If at first you don't suck seed -

 

[Casey's mate]

Heres a few pictures of the viaducts we have at the CFR.

 

[Martino]

Thank you all. Those are hugely impressive structures.

I think it's creating the shuttering that's worrying me. Woodwork was never my strong point.

I'll study your work and maybe try a small piece.

Many thanks again.

 

[bobg]

I shouldn't worry too much about your woodwork skills, using MDF is nothing like wood really, as it's got no grain. It sands very easily so slight over-size or fit imperfections can be sorted fairly effortlessly. There are two improtant things and they are don't breathe the dust from it when cutting or sanding, and seal it well before you pour. Chances are success with this could spur you on to greater things.

 

[mike]

Thank you all. Those are hugely impressive structures.

I think it's creating the shuttering that's worrying me. Woodwork was never my strong point.

I'll study your work and maybe try a small piece.

Many thanks again.

yoiu dont need to be perfect with wood.. plastic sheets, chipbord...