Portable and Rapidly Deployable Bridges: Historical Perspective and Recent Technology Developments

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.