Investigation of Existing Military Bridges to Determine Capabilities for Satisfying Multipurpose Bridge Requirements

摘要

Report covers investigation of existing tactical bridge equipment to determine capabilities for satisfying new multipurpose bridge project requirements. A thorough study was made of all fixed, floating, raft, ferry, and pier equipment which is in the supply channels and which has characteristics and capabilities closely approximating those required by the multipurpose bridge. The report concludes that: (a) There is no one set of existing equipment which meets all requirements of the multipurpose bridge; (b) The M-2 bailey bridge meets the fixed span and pier requirements of the multipurpose bridge but does not have the required roadway width of 13 feet 6 inches; (c) The reinforced M-4 aluminum deck balk bridge has a greater capacity than any floating equipment now in supply when assembled as a floating bridge and as a raft or ferry; (d) The aluminum deck balk can be connected and adapted to the bailey bridge as decking in 30 foot combinations by the addition of an adapter set on top of the transom; (e) The aluminum deck balk structure can also be used to build short fixed spans up to about 40 feet; and (f) There is no requirement for using the bailey truss panels as the main load-carrying members of floating bridges since the deck structure alone, composed of the deck balk equipment, can support the required class 60 load.