A pontoon bridge is a structure above the water that has floating supports called pontoons. A variant is a floating bridge, which does not have separate pontoons, and spans perform the function of "buoyancy". Such structures were used to organize temporary crossings in emergency conditions or during the repair of stationary bridges, in wartime and when performing work to eliminate the consequences of hurricanes and natural disasters. But there are many examples when the pontoon bridge is functioning continuously (in Russia - Pavlovo, Biysk, Tarko-Sale, Urengoy).
Pontoon structures have many advantages. First of all, they are transportable. They are easily transported by water and when disassembled by land. The second advantage is the speed of installation. However, there are significant disadvantages. Pontoon bridges create problems for navigation, have low bearing capacity, since their stability depends on the level of water, wind, waves. They cannot be exploited during the period of freezing and freezing.
Pontoon ferry is the result of a complex engineering process that requires special technologies and knowledge. Plastic modules facilitate this process. The pontoon bridge is a prefabricated structure consisting of floating elements. Such prefabricated buildings are used both for vehicles and for pedestrians.
External “lightness” and simplicity of the whole structure do not reduce the load-carrying characteristics, therefore such bridges are used for military purposes.
Benefits
The pontoon bridge is a modular design that can be easily assembled in a relatively short time. Moreover, the assembly does not require any special technical skills and knowledge.
Such a structure is modularly expandable, and if necessary, its width and shape can be easily changed.
Modules made of plastic are wear-resistant, not affected by acid, sea water, low temperature. Pontoon bridges based on plastic modules are used on any surface of the water, are not harmful to the environment, do not violate the aquatic fauna and flora, and resist currents and waves.
Interesting Facts
- The pontoon system was personally developed by Austrian engineer Karl von Birago, who commanded the first pontoon military corps in history. This system became widespread in all major European armies.
- In Russia, the longest pontoon bridge has a length of almost 750 meters. It connects the suburbs of Khabarovsk with the Big Ussuri Island. This bridge connects the island and the right bank of the Amur canal, it has been operating since 2002 from the end of May to October, agricultural machinery and cars move along it. Before the organization of the bridge, Bolshoi Ussuriysky Island was connected with the city by ferry. In winter, the island is reached on ice, and during the period of freezing and freezing the island from the "mainland" remains cut off. The bridge is bred once a day so as not to disrupt the operation of Chinese and Russian ships.
- Interestingly, with improper use, the pontoon bridge can "float away". This happened, for example, in 2005 in the city of Novokuznetsk, when the bridge over the Kondoma river was blown away by the current.