Abstract: A foldable, multi-hull pontoon suitable for use in bridging or as a ferry, has a sequence of trapezoidal hull plates (1) successively hinged to one another at their parallel edges so as to fold in concertina fashion, alternate pairs of the plates being mutually and transversely webbed at each end with collapsible triangular bulkheads (7) which define with the hull plates a series of triangular section hulls (13). Gunwale spacing beams (40) are provided to stabilise the opened pontoon and to provide trackways.

Abstract: A bridge module is preassembled from girder sections the type disclosed in Pat. No. GB 1209747, and integrated by stabilizing means so as to provide a crane-assisted building method which is less labor intensive and less time consuming than known manual methods.

Abstract: A pallet for use in decking a bridge constructed from girder sections of the type disclosed in Patent No. GB 1209747 comprises a plurality of decking units (1) held in pre-determined disposition by tie bars (7) and spacers (6) so as to engage directly with corresponding recesses (4) in the girder sections (5). The pallet is provided with slinging eyes (9) and may be used to carry additional decking units for manual distribution along the girder sections.

Abstract: A transportable bridge comprises two parallel trackway girders 2 interconnected by articulated decking members 3 which permit the bridge to be contracted in width for transportation upon a launcher vehicle 20. The bridge is loaded in an inverted position upon a launch frame 23 tiltable about the rear of the vehicle, from which frame it may be deployed end-over-end by upward rotation of the frame by jacking means 25, 27 to a vertical position, from where the bridge is further downwardly rotated to a horizontal position by winch means 35 attached to the launch frame.

Abstract: A bridge pier is constructed from a number of serially gradated cribs nestable one within the other for transportation and manually mountable one upon the other in order of decreasing size on arrival at a site by the use of rotatable davits attachable to each upper-most crib in turn. When used for dry gap bridging the cribs are assembled upon a pair of adjustable length telescopic legs each pivotally connected to a load-spreading grillage and adjustable for use on slopes of up to 1 in 20. Both initial levelling and subsequent adjustment for ground settlement can be achieved by adjustment of the telescopic legs. When required for use in deep water bridging the cribs may be mounted directly upon a pontoon.

Abstract: This invention provides a convenient and quick method of launching pontoons and further provides a launch vehicle and pontoons for use in said method. The method provides for positioning a tiltable platform, loaded with a stack of nested pontoons, on the bank of a waterway and for tilting the platform and releasing each pontoon separately in a sequence from the uppermost to the lowermost thereby causing the pontoons, in sequence, to slide downwardly of the tilted platform to clear the vehicle and land in the waterway.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved reinforcement for a bridge span, the reinforcement including a reinforcing member for attachment in an underslung position to the span, a reinforcing strut adapted at its first end for pivotal connection to a point intermediate the ends of the reinforcing member and jacking means for urging the reinforcing strut into its working position in which the reinforcing member is under tension. The improvement resides in that the jacking means is adapted to be mounted upon the bridge span and, in use, exerts a force transverse to the longitudinal axis of the strut to urge it into said working position in which the strut is, at its point of connection to the member, inclined at acute angles to the member.