Has anyone used the Atlas deck truss bridge on their layout and what did you use for piers. What is the prototypical way to attach this type of bridge to a pier (if it is prototypical)? Don’t like the looks of the Atlas piers and they are not tall enough for what I need. I am using Central Valley parts for the other bridge sections.
Hi. I do not have that bridge, but you should first prepare the river bottom for painting and sealing. Then you must decide, if commercial products don’t suit, to build your own. You can carve piers out of foam, plaster, drywall, wood, whatever will bear weight. Of course, you will also have to detail them, paint them, and weather them. You can also make molds and use plaster. I like the stacked, or layered, look, so drywall may be a good bet. Use drywall mud to tidy up the surface, and carve pour ridges into it later.
The idea is not so much to get the piers to “fit” at the right height, but to build up under them, by shimming or using a layer of mud or plaster (once mostly dry), to get the tops up against the bridge to offer some support. Once they are glued or plastered into place, you can add gravel, stones, talus, or riprap around their bases to give the natural look and hide your anchoring. Then, add water.
What I would do is lay the bridge in such a way that you know it will sit anchored on eadh end. Lift it, place your piers in plaster, a1/16" high, and then replace the bridge. The bridge should force the piers back into the plaster to the extent necessary. Be GENTLE! Remove the bridge, and gently pry the piers back up about 1/32". Replace the bridge until it just makes contact, and see if it lies against its abuttments. if so, let the whole system set to dry. As the plaster shrinks, it will take the piers down that much, and you can adjust the bridge at either end with a bit of filing, carving, or sanding. The key is to make sure your rails stay in alignment from the approaches to the bridge and onto the deck.