Bailey bridge

Bailey Bridge Latest News

Residents of Milam village in Uttarakhand are grappling with severe accessibility challenges after an avalanche damaged the Bailey bridge over the Gaokha River recently.

About Bailey Bridge

• It is a type of modular bridge whose parts are pre-built, so they can be put together quickly as needed. 
• An English civil engineer named Donald Coleman Bailey is credited with inventing it in 1941.
• The first Bailey bridges were used in 1942 by the British Army in the North African campaign. These bridges were extensively used during the Second World War.
• The key characteristics include their modularity, portability, strength, and versatility. 
• Bailey bridges are designed for rapid construction in difficult conditions without the need for heavy equipment or sophisticated construction methods. 
• The bridges are made of modular steel panels, which can be easily transported and assembled using manpower alone.
  • The construction of a Bailey bridge involves assembling prefabricated panels into sections, which are then connected to form the bridge’s span.
  • The panels are connected using pins and bolts, creating a truss structure that distributes the load evenly. 
• The design supports heavy loads, including tanks and other military vehicles, and they can be used in various configurations to span different types of gaps and obstacles.
• Bailey bridge assembly covers a small area, which can avoid the situation that large hoisting equipment cannot enter the construction site. 
• It is generally used in terrains that span rivers, valleys, and spans that are not very large.

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Bailey Bridge FAQs

Q1. Who is credited with the invention of the Bailey Bridge?

Ans. An English civil engineer named Donald Coleman Bailey is credited with inventing it in 1941.

Q2. What feature makes Bailey bridges suitable for quick deployment in remote areas?

Ans. Prefabricated and modular design

Q3. Bailey bridges were extensively used during which major global conflict?

Ans. World War II

Source: TOI