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Comparison between Baileys Bridge Truss and Suspension Bridges
The Bailey bridge trusses are bridges that are portable and comprise of pre-fabricated trusses (Katohi, 2013). They were designed to assist the military to cross wide cliffs and gaps of up to 200 feet (Caney, 2006; McGloin, 2008). In the contemporary world, longer Bailey bridges have been constructed, and are able to function effectively to allow smooth transportation, over large rivers such as the two-lane bridge crossing the 788 metresmeters across the Derwent River in Australia and the Bailey bridge cutting across rivers Suru and Dras in Ladakh. Suspension bridges, on the other hand, are bridges that the …show more content…
Additionally, Bailey bridge construction materials are small in size and light that they can be lifted by at least six individuals (Caney, 2006; Harpur, 1991). The Bailey bridge can be upgraded to carry heavier loads by addition of more parts. On the central, it is not possible to upgrade a suspension bridge without prior demolition of the initial bridge.
Recommendations
In the construction of bridges, especially in emergency situations, or to cross hilly and difficult-to-access terrains, Bailey bridges are the best option. This is because Bailey bridges command the ease of installation and being dismantled. The materials obtained after dismantling the bridge can be reused elsewhere, which is a modular replacement advantage over other bridges. Moreover, they are cheap to construct, and by the fact that the materials can be reused, it reduces the cost of reconstruction. They are easy to install and commission. Lastly, they only require a short period of time to construct.