The revolutionary Bailey Bridge has played an important role over the years – initially providing critical connections in the Second World War, but more recently in getting vital supplies to people across the globe, both in civilian and military applications.
The modular, rapidly deployable Bailey Bridge has its origins in the years before the Second World War, when civil servant Donald Bailey came up with the concept, producing his original sketch on the back of an envelope in 1936.
His idea was largely ignored at the time, but then war broke out. An upgraded version of the First World War Inglis Bridge failed, as the new and improved military vehicles were too heavy. So on 14 February 1941, Bailey received a letter from the War Department telling him to prepare for a full-scale trial of his bridge design in May that year at the Experimental Bridging Establishment at Christchurch, Dorset.
Successful trials meant the Bailey Bridge went into production in July 1941 and was issued to the army that December. British, Canadian, Australian and US engineers used the system – its rapid rollout showed just how progressive and easy to implement it was.
The Axis Powers didn’t have this kind of trick up their collective sleeve, so the bridge’s contribution to the war effort was vital. As Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery put it: “Bailey bridging made an immense contribution towards ending World War Two ... I could never have maintained the speed and tempo of forwarding movement without large supplies of Bailey bridging.
“Without the Bailey Bridge, we should not have won the war. It was the best thing in that line that we ever had.”
Ease of transporting hefty military hardware using the Modular Steel Bridge essentially won the war. For example, the Battle of Remagen, where Allied forces captured the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine and pretty much shortened the war in Europe, is where the Bailey Bridge fully flexed its muscles.
Pontoon Bridges were set up across the Rhine in Germany to aid the advance. The longest was called ‘Blackfriars Bridge’. It was 558m long and was built close to the Dutch border by the Royal Canadian Engineers of the 2nd Canadian Corps. After two days of construction – delays were due to heavy fog and hampered delivery of components – the floating section of the bridge was rated as Military Load Class 40; enough for 40-ton tanks to cross over safely.
The bridge used modular panel construction, so elements could be transported and assembled on site, according to the length needed. “At its peak, around 20,000 panels were produced each month during World War Two,” says Callum Skeat, military sales manager at Mabey Bridge, the company that took on and developed the Bailey Bridge. “Over the entire war, over 700,000 panels were produced; enough to stretch from London to Leningrad.”
It was light and quick to assemble – it usually took 24 hours – and was strong enough to carry the heaviest tanks over a 60m span.
“The simple deployment of the Steel Foot Bridge has not really changed since its first use in 1942,” says Skeat. “Original Bailey Bridges were built by hand and cantilevered [cantilevers, which are projecting beams or members supported at only one end, can hold a bridge up to 550m] over a gap using a light nose section dismantled on the far bank, and pushed out by rollers.”
The first span can be easily joined to other panels to form multiple spans. You just feed them across the gap on rollers until you have the bridge length you want.
So what made it so snazzy? Well, the First World War Inglis Bridge required building a bridge twice as long as you wanted, swinging it out over a gap on a pivot, and then you’d dismantle the bits of bridge you didn’t need. “This was a timely process, but the Bailey’s simple, robust and modular design meant it was infinitely more versatile and quicker to build. Plus, all parts could be assembled by hand, which was a revelation during the 1940s,” Skeat adds.
Over the last 75 years, its original design and improved descendants, such as the Super Bailey, Mabey Universal, Mabey Compact 200 (C200) and the Logistical Support Bridge (LSB) have provided access for communities and maintained and enhanced supply lines for the military.
Nowadays, steel panels are used instead of wooden timber, making the Suspension Bridge more durable. Panels are galvanised, meaning they can last for over 50 years.
Only one site supervisor is needed to oversee installation, and a locally sourced and trained workforce can build the Steel Truss Bridge. Pretty simple.
The Bailey concept played an important role over the years in development of civil engineering, providing critical connections and vital supplies to people around the world.
Most Mabey Steel Box Beams are now used as civilian aids, helping children get to school, and assisting communities after natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes – when an earthquake occurred in Kashmir in Pakistan, as part of aid efforts the British government supplied around 30 C200s for emergency bridging.
Skeat says: “In 2016, more than £2.5m was invested to develop robots to support more efficient manufacturing of the Mabey Compact 200 (C200) Bridge, the most widely used Bailey successor. This reduced manufacturing time for the C200’s panels and chords by almost half, doubling production capacity as well as reducing manual handling elements in products, leading to enhanced safety.”
Bailey Bridges are not manufactured anymore, but some militaries still use them and their improved descendants. Skeat says: “The phrase ‘if it is not broke, do not fix it comes to mind here. The original concept of the Bailey Bridge is still very much alive, and I doubt we’ll find a more flexible, quick and effective solution.”
The high cost of Container Moving Equipment means they are typically only found in locations with high container throughput. These often act as "freight hubs". However, handling containers outside of these hubs can be a challenge, and is usually solved by contracting a mobile container handling service, such as a truck crane, side loader or tilt-bed truck. Fortunately, new container lifting solutions are emerging that make owning your own container handling equipment much more affordable.
Related ads
Swivel Office Chair price
Swivel Office Chair price Our History Hebei Lejiang Furniture Corp., Ltd. is located in Bazhou City, the triangle area of Beijing,Tianjin and Hebei Province, and established in year 2012.Before the establishment,we had owned the producing and selling… Adana
Ümraniye İlçesi (ÖTA) Ömrünü Tamamlamış Araçların Depolama ve Teslim Yeri 02166617110
Ümraniye İlçesi (ÖTA) Ömrünü Tamamlamış Araçların Depolama ve Teslim Yeri 02166617110 Istanbul
Şile,hurda araç toplama yerleri 02166617110
Şile,hurda araç toplama yerleri 02166617110 Istanbul
Esenyurt İlçesinde ö.t.v lik hurda araç teslim yeri 02166617110
Esenyurt İlçesinde ö.t.v lik hurda araç teslim yeri 02166617110 Istanbul
Marine Propulsion Systems: More Than Moving Ships Through the Water
Marine Propulsion Systems move ships through the water, ensures a better safety standard for the marine ecosystem and are cost-efficient. Worldwide goals have been set for emission reductions for the maritime sector. "The IMO is targeting… Afyonkarahisar
Cowboys Backups Dak Prescott and Superst
WHITTS END: 11.5.21 *Clint Longley ambush bombing the Redskins in 1974? Jason Garrett shocking the Packers with 36 second-half points in 1994? Bernie Kosar closing out the 1993 NFC Championship Game against the 49ers? Or perhaps you think Cooper Rushs… Afyonkarahisar
hurda arac nereden alınır 02166617110
hurda arac nereden alınır 02166617110 Istanbul
How Hospitals Can Manage Supply Shortages as Demand Surges
How Hospitals Can Manage Supply Shortages as Demand Surges Managing Supply Problems and Shifting Bottlenecks Managing demand needs to be complemented with effective strategies for managing the supply of resources needed to care for patients —… Adana
Resmi hurda araç teslim yeri 02166617110
Resmi hurda araç teslim yeri 02166617110 Istanbul
What Is the Weight of a 4x4 Closure Wig
The 4x4 Closure Wig is worn on top of your head, often known as the crown area or horseshoe area. It is 4 inches in length and 4 inches in width that can be worn with the hair bundles or hair wigs to provide a natural scalp look. The wig is installed… Adana
BREWING YOUR OWN BEER: WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED
BREWING YOUR OWN BEER: WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED So you want to make your own beer. How hard could it be, right? Really, it’s not that hard, and I’ll have a nice home beer brewing equipment for you soon that outlines every aspect of the… Adana
Fit werden mit elektrischer Muskelstimulation (EMS)
Fit werden mit elektrischer Muskelstimulation (EMS) Diese Stimulation erzeugt Muskelkontraktionen, die schnell und h?ufig sein k?nnen, schnell mit langen Pausen oder Kontraktionen, die für mehrere (unangenehme) Sekunden oder Minuten am Stück gehalten… Adana
Zeytinburnu,hurda araç toplama yerleri 02166617110
Zeytinburnu,hurda araç toplama yerleri 02166617110 Istanbul
Do You Have To Glue Down A 13x4 Lace Wig
For most people who often wear 13x4 Lace Wig, the biggest concern is whether the wig with glue will hurt your skin, and you are tired of the wig that requires glue. Most wigs come with glue to permanently attach them to your head. Even if the wigs are… Adana
What Should You Want To Wear 13x6 Lace Wig Everyday
If you need a new hairstyle to change your style or give you new confidence, wearing a 13x6 Lace Wig is a great option. With more wig options, better production techniques and more durable products, the number of people wearing wigs every day is… Adana
Bakırköy İlçesi resmi hurda araç bertaraf tesisi 02166617110
Bakırköy İlçesi resmi hurda araç bertaraf tesisi 02166617110 Istanbul
Why Try For A Ginger Wig Human Hair
Want to be a stylish woman? Why not try for a Ginger Wig? The ginger wig is becoming more and more popular now. Today, we will talk about things you need to know about ginger wigs. If you are looking for a vibrant but natural ginger wig, this blog will… Adana
Carbon Fibre : Sweeping technical world off its feet
In 1879, the world experienced a novel level of innovation that peacefully took over the reins of technical textile. It was in this year that Edison took out a patent for the manufacture of carbon filaments suitable for use in electric lamps. However, it… Adana
Flatbed Trailer Types
Flatbed trailers come in all shapes, sizes, and maximum load capacities. Some of the most common types of flatbed trailers and specialized trucking trailers include: Lowboy Trailers Step Deck Trailers… Adana
Difference Between 360 Lace Wig And Full Lace Wig
A full lace wig and 360 Lace Wig can pretty much help you achieve any look you want. And which one is better-full lace wigs or 360 wigs? Difference between 360 wig and full lace wig 1. The cap construction between them are different What differs the 360… Adana
What Are The Characteristics Of V Part Human Hair Wig
Unlike the hot lace wigs on the market, V Part Wig do not have a large area of lace, but it is also loved by many people because of its unique characteristics. Then what are the characteristics of V part wig? Characteristics of V part wig 1 Easy to… Adana
The Importance of Good Makeup Brushes
The Importance of Good Makeup Brushes If you’re new to the makeup scene or you’re not a regular makeup user, you need to understand the importance of quality makeup Face Brushes. A lot of makeup newbies and amateurs do not realize the importance of… Adana
Gaziosmanpaşa Resmi Lisanslı Hurda Araç Teslim Yeri 02166617110
Gaziosmanpaşa Resmi Lisanslı Hurda Araç Teslim Yeri 02166617110 Istanbul
Screw Wire Connector suppliers
Screw Wire Connector suppliers Screw connection connector Type: MC-PC5.08VXXC-S Pitch: 5.08mm Poles: 2P-24P Female plug, Screw connection锛孎or wire-to-wire connection锛孯ail installation Conductor cross sections from 0.2mm虏锛圓WG24锛塼o 2.5mm虏锛圓WG12锛?/span>… Adana
What is Aluminum Die Casting?
What is Aluminum Die Casting? When you’re in the process of designing an aluminum part, it is essential to consider which manufacturing process you’ll use to produce it. There are various methods for forming aluminum, and aluminum die casting is one… Adana
The Features of an Automatic Filling Machine
The Features of an Automatic Filling Machine Overflow fillers, gravity fillers, piston Filling Machines and other liquid fillers all vary in the way that they move product into a bottle or container. However, the automatic versions of these… Adıyaman
How To Make 13x4 Lace Front Wig Last Longer
For women who are suffering from hair loss or don’t want to damage their natural hair and want a new and gorgeous hair look, there is no better way to get a wig. Generally, you can wear a 13x4 Lace Front Wig for many days without taking it off. A common… Adana
Why African American Women Love 613 Blonde Wig
The notion that African American women cannot wear has been entirely thrown out the door and is apart of the past. Black women can effortlessly pull off any hairstyle and hair color; when it comes down to hair rules, there is none. However, some critics… Adana
dustry Developments: Extrusion Profile Heat Sinks
Industry Developments: Extrusion Profile Heat Sinks Extruded metal heat sinks are among the lowest cost, widest used heat spreaders in electronics thermal management. Besides their affordability, extruded heat sinks are lightweight, readily cut to… Adıyaman
HOW A TURBOCHARGER WORKS
HOW A TURBOCHARGER WORKS A significant difference between a turbocharged diesel engine and a traditional naturally aspirated gasoline engine is the air entering a diesel engine is compressed before the fuel is injected. This is where the turbo… Adana