How do Pontoon Bridges Work?

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Pontoon bridges are a fantastic feat of imaginative engineering. Simply put, they consist of a section of road suspended on floating barges in order to facilitate the crossing of a body of water. They are typically used in situations where quick deployment and removal are of the utmost importance, such as in military applications or after a natural disaster.

Although pontoons excel in terms of their deployment speed and their suitability for rugged terrain, their major pitfall is the restricted load weights they are able to carry. Because these bridges operate by displacing water in order to remain buoyant, their maximum carrying capacity is equal to the maximum water displacement minus the weight of the bridge itself.

The airtight barges can be made of any floating material, and historically, bridges have been made of specifically tailored steel drums, plastic barrels, or even fallen trees.

To take a look at our past Pontoon projects click here.

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