A pontoon bridge is a structure above water that has floating supports called pontoons. A variation is a floating bridge, which does not have separate pontoons, and span structures perform the function of "buoyancy". Such structures were used to organize temporary crossings in case of emergency or during the period of 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 functions and is permanent (in Russia - Pavlovo, Biysk, Tarko-Sale, Urengoy).
Buildings on pontoons have many advantages. First of all, they are transportable. They are easy to move on water and disassembled on land. The second advantage is the speed of installation. However, there are also significant drawbacks. Pontoon bridges create problems for navigation, have a low bearing capacity, since their stability depends on the water level, wind, and waves. They cannot be operated during the period of freezing and ice drift.
The pontoon crossing is the result of a complex engineering process that requires special technologies and knowledge. Plastic modulesfacilitate this process. The pontoon bridge is a prefabricated structure consisting of floating elements. These prefabricated structures are used for both vehicles and pedestrians.
External "lightness" and simplicity of the whole structure do not reduce the carrying capacity, so these bridges are used for military purposes.
Benefits
The pontoon bridge is a modular design that can be easily assembled in a relatively short time. At the same time, the assembly does not require any special technical skills and knowledge.
Such a structure is modular and expandable, and if necessary, you can easily change its width and shape.
Modules made of plastic wear-resistant, not affected by acid, sea water, low temperature. Pontoon bridges based on plastic modules are used on any water surface, are not harmful to the environment, do not disturb the aquatic fauna and flora, resist currents and waves.
Interesting facts
- The pontoon system was personally developed by the Austrian engineer Carl von Birago, who commanded the first ever pontoon military corps. This system has become 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 Bolshoi Ussuriysky Island. This bridge connects the island and the right bank of the Amur channel; it has been operating since 2002 from the end of May to October;agricultural machinery and vehicles. Before the organization of the bridge, Bolshoi Ussuriysky Island was connected with the city by a ferry crossing. In winter, they get to the island on ice, and during the period of freeze-up and ice drift, the island remains cut off from the "mainland". The bridge is raised once a day so as not to disrupt the work of Chinese and Russian courts.
- Interestingly, the pontoon bridge can "float away" if not used properly. This happened, for example, in 2005 in the city of Novokuznetsk, when the bridge across the river Kondoma was swept away by the current.
