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HISTORY ON PONTOON BRIDGE
It is believed that Ancient China was the birthplace of the pontoon bridge.
Accounts from the text of the ancient book, Shi Jing, from the Zhou Dynasty,
reveals that the first ever one was built in the 11th Century BC. Although this
early account is disputed by historians, like Joseph Needham, more reliable
evidence does show that Chinese pontoon bridges were common throughout
the 8th and 9th Centuries BC. More permanent pontoon bridges were also built in
China during the Qin Dynasty between 221 and 207 BC. Later, the Eastern Han
Dynasty created a very large pontoon bridge across the Yellow River.
Pontoon bridges were extensively used by both armies and civilians throughout
the latter half of the 20th century. French Army mobile Pontoon bridge in Paris,
2003
From the Post-War period into the early 1980s the U.S. Army and its NATO and
other allies employed three main types of pontoon bridge/raft. The Class 60
bridge consisted of a more robust steel girder and grid deck supported by
inflatable rubber pontoons. All three pontoon bridge types were cumbersome to
transport and deploy, and slow to assemble, encouraging the development of an
easier to transport, deploy and assemble floating bridge.
A pontoon bridge uses floats or shallow-draft boats to support a continuous deck
for pedestrian and vehicle travel. The buoyancy of the supports limits the
maximum load that they can carry. Most pontoon bridges are temporary and
used in wartime and civil emergencies. There are permanent pontoon bridges in
civilian use that can carry highway traffic. Permanent floating bridges are useful
for sheltered water crossings if it is not considered economically feasible to
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suspend a bridge from anchored piers. Such bridges can require a section that is
elevated or can be raised or removed to allow waterborne traffic to pass.
Pontoon bridges have been in use since ancient times and have been used to
great advantage in many battles throughout history, such as the Battle of
Garigliano, the Battle of Oudenarde, the crossing of the Rhine during World War
II, the Iran–Iraq War's Operation Dawn 8, and most recently, in the 2022 Russian
invasion of Ukraine, after crossings over the Dnipro River had been destroyed.
Pontoon bridges were extensively used by both armies and civilians throughout
the latter half of the 20th century French Army mobile Pontoon bridge in Paris,
2003 From the Post-War period into the early 1980s the U.S. Army and its NATO
and other allies employed three main types of pontoon bridge/raft. The M4
bridge featured a lightweight aluminum balk deck supported by rigid aluminum
hull pontoons. The M4T6 bridge used the same aluminum balk deck of the M4,
but supported instead by inflatable rubber pontoons. The Class 60 bridge
consisted of a more robust steel girder and grid deck supported by inflatable
rubber pontoons. All three pontoon bridge types were cumbersome to transport
and deploy, and slow to assemble, encouraging the development of an easier to
transport, deploy and assemble floating bridge.
Several alternatives featured a self-propelled amphibious integrated transporter,
floating pontoon, bridge deck section that could be delivered and assembled in
the water under its own power, linking as many units as required to bridge a gap
or form a raft ferry.
An early example was the Engin de Franchissement de l’Avant EFA (mobile
bridge) amphibious forward crossing apparatus conceived by French General Jean
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Gillois in 1955. The system consisted of a wheeled amphibious truck equipped
with inflatable outboard flotation sponsons and a rotating vehicle bridge deck
section. The system was developed by the West German firm Eisenwerke-
Kaiserslauter (EWK) and entered production by the French-German consortium
Pontesa. The EFA system was first deployed by the French Army in 1965, and
subsequently by the West German Bundeswehr, British Army, and on a very
limited basis by the U.S. Army, where it was referred to as Amphibious River
Crossing Equipment (ARCE). Production ended in 1973. The EFA was used in
combat by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which employed former U.S. Army
equipment to cross the Suez Canal in their counterattack into Egypt during
the Yom Kippur War of 1973.
Deployment showing automatic unfolding of the most recent Russian ribbon
bridge system PP-2005 in 2020.
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pontoon bridges built in China during the Qin Dynasty between 221 and 207 BC
EWK further developed the EFA system into the M2 "Alligator" Amphibious
Bridging Vehicle equipped with fold-out aluminum flotation pontoons, which was
produced from 1967 to 1970 and sold to the West German, British and Singapore
militaries. The M2 was followed by the revised M3 version, entering service in
1996 with Germany, Britain, Taiwan and Singapore. The M3 was used in combat
by British Forces during the Iraq War. More recently, Turkey has developed a
similar system in the FNSS Samur wheeled amphibious assault bridge, while the
Russian PMM-2 and Chinese GZM003 armoured amphibious assault bridge ride
on tracks.
A similar amphibious system, the Mobile Floating Assault Bridge-Ferry (MFAB-F)
was developed in the U.S. by Chrysler between 1959 and 1962. As with the French
EFA, the MFAB-F consisted of an amphibious truck with a rotating bridge deck
section, but there were no outboard flotation sponsons. The MFAB-F was first
deployed by the U.S. Army in 1964 and later by Belgium. An improved version was
produced by FMC from 1970 to 1976. The MFAB-F remained in service into the
early 1980s before being replaced by a simpler continuous pontoon or "ribbon
bridge" system.
DEFINATION
A pontoon bridge is a collection of specialized, shallow draft boats or floats,
connected together to cross a river or canal, with a track or deck attached on top.
The water buoyancy supports the boats, limiting the maximum load to the total
and point buoyancy of the pontoons or boats. The supporting boats or floats can
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be open or closed, temporary or permanent in installation, and made of rubber,
metal, wood, or concrete. The decking may be temporary or permanent, and
constructed out of wood, modular metal, or asphalt or concrete over a metal
frame.
TYPES OF PONTOON BRIDGE
Pontoon bridges come in various forms, each tailored to specific needs and
contexts. These can be broadly categorized into military, civilian, and temporary
pontoon bridges, each serving distinct purposes and constructed with different
considerations in mind.
a. Military Pontoon Bridges. Military pontoon bridges are designed for
rapid deployment in combat or emergency situations. These bridges are typically
modular, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly. The materials used are
often lightweight yet durable, such as aluminum or high-strength polymers, to
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facilitate easy transport and handling. Military pontoon bridges are engineered to
support heavy loads, including tanks and other military vehicles, ensuring they
can withstand the rigors of battlefield conditions. The U.S. Army’s Improved
Ribbon Bridge (IRB), for example, is a modern military pontoon bridge that can be
assembled in a matter of hours and is capable of supporting heavy armored
vehicles. These bridges are crucial for maintaining supply lines and enabling troop
movements across water obstacles, providing a strategic advantage in various
military operations.
Using magilux transporter to launch pontoon bridge into the river.
b. Civilian Pontoon Bridges. Civilian pontoon bridges are often
used in situations where permanent bridge construction is not feasible due to
environmental, economic, or logistical constraints. These bridges are commonly
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found in areas prone to flooding, where they can provide a reliable means of
transportation during high water levels. Civilian pontoon bridges are also used in
remote or rural areas where traditional bridge construction would be
prohibitively expensive. The materials used for these bridges can vary, but they
often include steel or reinforced concrete for added durability. An example is the
Nordhordland Bridge in Norway, which combines a pontoon bridge with a cable-
stayed bridge to span a fjord, demonstrating the versatility and adaptability of
pontoon bridge designs in civilian applications.
c. Temporary Pontoon Bridges. Temporary pontoon bridges are typically
used for short-term projects or events, such as construction work, festivals, or
emergency response situations. These bridges are designed for quick installation
and removal, making them ideal for scenarios where a temporary crossing is
needed. The materials used are usually lightweight and easy to assemble, such as
aluminum or composite materials. Temporary pontoon bridges are often
employed in disaster relief efforts, providing essential access for emergency
vehicles and supplies in the aftermath of natural disasters. For instance, during
the 2011 Thailand floods, temporary pontoon bridges were deployed to restore
connectivity in affected areas, highlighting their importance in emergency
response and recovery operations.
FEATURES OF PONTOON BRIDGE
1. Floating structures. A roadway is created by connecting a number of
floating structures, or pontoons, to create a pontoon bridge. Typically built of
plastic, steel, or aluminium, pontoons are intended to float on the water.
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2. Anchors. They are used to secure the pontoons to the lake or river bottom
and maintain the stability of the bridge. Concrete blocks, steel cables, and other
materials can be used to create anchors.
Roadway: The pontoons support the roadway, which is built of concrete, steel, or
wood. Typically, there is ample space on the road for cars, passengers, and other
traffic.
3. Contemporary design. Pontoon bridges have a modular design that makes
rapid and simple assembly and disassembly possible. They may be altered in
breadth and length to fit various circumstances thanks to their modular
architecture.
4. Flexibility. Pontoon bridges are an option for locations where conventional
bridges are impractical or impossible. They can be utilised to go across rivers,
gorges, ravines, and other barriers.
5. Maintenance. To keep pontoon bridges in good shape, some maintenance
is required. Inspecting the anchors, fixing any pontoon or road damage, and
modifying the anchors and pontoons as necessary can all be part of this.
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DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
When designing a pontoon bridge, the design engineer must take into
consideration Archimedes' principle. Each pontoon can support a load equal to
the mass of the water that it displaces. This load includes the mass of the bridge
and the pontoon itself. If the maximum load of a bridge section is exceeded, one
or more pontoons become submerged. Flexible connections have to allow for one
section of the bridge to be weighted down more heavily than the other parts. The
roadway across the pontoons should be relatively light, so as not to limit the
carrying capacity of the pontoons.
The connection of the bridge to shore requires the design of approaches that are
not too steep, protect the bank from erosion and provide for movements of the
bridge during (tidal) changes of the water level.
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Floating bridges were historically constructed using wood. Pontoons were formed
by simply lashing several barrels together, by rafts of timbers, or by using boats.
Each bridge section consisted of one or more pontoons, which were maneuvered
into position and then anchored underwater or on land. The pontoons were
linked together using wooden stringers called balks. The balks were covered by a
series of cross planks called chesses to form the road surface, and the chesses
were secured with side guard rails.
Pontoon bridge launch on home bank during operation.
A floating bridge can be built in a series of sections, starting from an anchored
point on the shore. Modern pontoon bridges usually use pre-fabricated floating
structures.
Most pontoon bridges are designed for temporary use, but bridges across water
bodies with a constant water level can remain in place much longer. Hobart
Bridge, a long pontoon bridge built 1943 in Hobart, was only replaced after 21
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years. The fourth Galata Bridge that spans the Golden
Horn in Istanbul, Turkey was built in 1912 and operated for 80 years.
Provisional and lightweight pontoon bridge are easily damaged. The bridge can be
dislodged or inundated when the load limit of the bridge is exceeded. The bridge
can be induced to sway or oscillate in a hazardous manner from the swell, from a
storm, a flood or a fast moving load. Ice or floating objects (flotsam) can
accumulate on the pontoons, increasing the drag from river current and
potentially damaging the bridge. See below for floating pontoon failures and
disasters.
the Mobile Floating Assault Bridge-Ferry (MFAB-F) was developed in the U.S. by
Chrysler between 1959 and 1962.
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REFERENCE
1. Bachrach, D. (2014). Warfare in Tenth-Century
Germany. Woodbridge: Boydell Press. ISBN 978-1843839279.
2. Bowlus, C. (1995). Franks, Moravians, and Magyars: The Struggle for the
Middle Danube, 788-907. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania
Press. ISBN 9780812232769.
3. Brook, Timothy. (1998). The Confusions of Pleasure: Commerce and Culture
in Ming China. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-22154-0
4. Graff, David Andrew and Robin Higham (2002). A Military History of China.
Boulder: Westview Press.
5. Needham, Joseph (1986). Science and Civilization in China: Volume 4,
Physics and Physical Technology, Part 3, Civil Engineering and Nautics. Taipei:
Caves Books, Ltd.
6. Petersen, L. (2013). Siege Warfare and Military Organization in the
Successor States (400-800 A.D.). Leiden: Brill Publishers. ISBN 978-9004251991.
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