Bailey bridge

Source- This post on Bailey bridge has been created based on the article “What is a Bailey bridge, constructed in Wayanad after landslides?” published in “Indian Express” on 5 August 2024.

Why in News?

Recently, the Indian Army’s Madras Engineer Group (Madras Sappers) constructed a Bailey bridge at Chooralmala to reach Mundakkai village, which was severely impacted by landslides.

About Bailey Bridge

1. A Bailey bridge is a type of modular bridge with pre-built parts requiring minimal construction work and can be assembled quickly when needed.

2. The Bailey bridge was invented by Donald Coleman Bailey, an English civil engineer, during World War II (1939-45), as noted in a US Army Engineer School manual.

How Does the Bailey Bridge Work?

1.  The prefabricated parts of a Bailey bridge include light steel panels connected by pins, which are large, screw-like objects that help establish the guardrails of the bridge.

2. Workers place beams through the guardrails on either side to form the deck or path of the bridge, with all beams constructed to lock into the guardrails, ensuring stability.

3. The bridge can be extended, and the lightness of the parts allows for mobility without the need for heavy installation equipment.

4. In disaster relief situations, this is ideal as the parts can be transported in small trucks, making it useful during wartime as well.

Key Facts About Madras Sappers

1.  The Madras Sappers is an engineering group of the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army, originating from the Madras Presidency army of the British Raj.

2. This regiment has its headquarters in Bengaluru.

3. The Madras Sappers were the only regiment of the Madras Presidency Army to survive the reorganizations that took place between 1862 and 1928.

UPSC Syllabus: Environment