TM-5-5420-279-10
CHAPTER 5
BRIDGE BUILDING
Section I. OVERVIEW
The bridge can be retrieved from either its original home or far bank sides of the spanned gap,
however it may not always be possible to retrieve the bridge from all far bank sides. The
operating parameters for retrieval should accommodate a normal construction site of 134 ft 6 in
(41 m) by 49 ft 3 in (15 m) symmetrical about the bridge centerline.
Overview
5.1.1.1
Retrieval involves the removal of the home bank approach ramps and their stowage,
in the frames on flatrack V1. The launch vehicle is located and set up and the
launch beam subsequently deployed along the centerline of the bridge. When the
launch beam is deployed and supported on the far bank, the articulator cylindes are
stowed and the A-frame raised to the upper position. The far bank approach ramp
frames are positioned on the far bank ramp module and the approach ramps loaded
into them prior to the set down of the launch beam.
5.1.1.2
The forward and far bank carriages are driven out along the launch beam and
attached to the bridge, which is then raised. The bridge is reversed towards the
home bank until the home bank ramp module can be connected to the bridge
module lifter already attached to the crane. The pins and shootbolts are removed
from the parallel module and the end beam is removed. The module is then
transferred to its transportation vehicle by the crane. This process continues until all
bridge sections have been stowed and the home bank carriage has been
disconnected from the far bank ramp module as it is retrieved.
5.1.1.3
The A-frame is set to the lower position and the articulator cylinders deployed. The
launch beam is then raised from the far bank by the chest pack operator and one
beam module is withdrawn for removal. The launch beam is connected to and
supported by the crane while the connection pins are removed and it is then stowed
on the flatrack LVT which has been positioned alongside. The next module is
withdrawn, stowed and the process continued until only the first beam module is
remaining.
5.1.1.4
When the launch beam has been retrieved, the A-frame, crane, launch frame and
slide frame are stowed and secured before the launch vehicle is moved from the site
to the staging area.