bailey bridge website

[wim sikkelbein]

thought this might be interesting

http://www.baileybrug.info/index2.htm

all about bailey bridges

Wim

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Today I photographed the Bailey Bridge north of Mol, Belgium.

I was amazed to see this bridge still in use after it was built in 1944/1945 to replace the original bridge which was blown up in 1940. And "still in use" means it is part of road with heavy traffic, cars cross it all day long. It has traffic lights either side to control the traffic!

H.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Hanno


There is something really wrong with a bridge lasting 60+ years what ever happened to planned obsolescence. Just think of all the construction works who are unemployed not having to replace that bridge every 20 years.

But kidding aside I wonder how much has had to be replaced over the years?

In the last 10 years here in New Hampshire they have made the technological jump of going back to building timber bridges. Seems that in certain applications they actually out last concrete.

Cheers Phil

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

There is something really wrong with a bridge lasting 60+ years what ever happened to planned obsolescence. Just think of all the construction works who are unemployed not having to replace that bridge every 20 years.

But kidding aside I wonder how much has had to be replaced over the years?

Hi Phil,

The only explanation I can think of is "the Belgian way of doing things". But don't ask how it works. Even though they speak the same language and live close to us Dutchmen, they are truly a different people. Have a look at the website Wim posted originally, and be amazed by the number of Bailey bridges still in use. There are pictures of one having its wooden decking replaced and the lower steelwork shotblasted. That would be a good time to replace the whole bridge, wouldn't you think? Especially taking into consideration it's modular construction.

The one I pictured has been repainted several times, but some of the sections had severly suffered under rust. I really do not think it will survive much longer under the heavy load of 100's of vehicles each day.

But it is a nice tribute to Mr. Bailey's design!

Hanno

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Hi Phil,

The only explanation I can think of is "the Belgian way of doing things". But don't ask how it works. Even though they speak the same language and live close to us Dutchmen, they are truly a different people. ...

But it is a nice tribute to Mr. Bailey's design!

Hanno

I've worked with a Belgian raised as a Canadian. The term hard-headed doesn't even come close to how stubborn this guy can be. That, and cheap!

[Ed Storey]

Here is an image of a Bailey that is in-situ near Petawawa for use duing the winter by skidooers.