Load-Carrying Capacity of Bailey Bridge in Civil Applications

The paper presents an extensive study aimed to determine the applicability of the demountable Bailey bridge (BB) system on construction sites or in other temporary conditions while meeting the regulations for the design and assessment of steel bridges. The analysis is focused on whether and to what extent the BB system with spans between 12 and 36 m is usable for on-site freight transport with conventional lorries with a total weight of up to 22–28 tons. At the same time, the BB system within these spans should be utilized for construction vehicles with a total weight of up to 32–40 tons. To calculate the load-carrying capacity, spatial numerical models were analysed using FEM and procedures of actual design codes were utilized. In the case of the main girders, analysis is focused on the out-of-plane stability of their compressed chords. Recommendations for the use of this bridge system in different arrangements of the main girder and bridge deck are then summarized and discussed.