Portable and Rapidly Deployable Bridges: Historical Perspective and Recent Technology Developments
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 18, Issue 10
Abstract
Portable and rapidly deployable bridges are critical for providing access routes for troops during military operations and for restoring vital lifelines for communities affected by large-scale disasters. This paper reviews the history and the state of the art in portable and rapidly deployable bridge technology, primarily for U.S. systems. Four types of deployable systems are presented, including (1) rapidly erectable gap-crossing bridges (e.g., Bailey Bridge, Medium Girder Bridge), (2) vehicle-launched bridges (e.g., Armored Vehicle–Launched Bridge, Dry Support Bridge), (3) river-crossing solutions (e.g., M4T6, Improved Ribbon Bridge), and (4) causeways (e.g., Navy Elevated Causeway System, Lightweight Modular Causeway System). Discussion of each design emphasizes the technology itself, its application throughout history, and the evolution of the forms in relation to one another. The paper concludes with a discussion of the future of these technologies. The paper provides the first review of portable and rapidly deployable bridge technology in civil engineering literature and is of general interest to those who would like to learn more about this technology for military and disaster-relief purposes.
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Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to Joseph Padula and Jimmy Fowler of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center for their guidance in this review.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 18 • Issue 10 • October 2013
Pages: 1074 - 1085
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 10, 2012
Accepted: Nov 27, 2012
Published online: Nov 29, 2012
Published in print: Oct 1, 2013
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