Structural analysation of

Ribbon Floating
Bridges

Name: Veeresh Goni

Reg No: 14GAMC5015
Under the guidance of
Prof. G R HARISH

Contents

Introduction
Floating bridge principle and classification
Advantages of floating bridge
Objectives
Analysis and design
Experimental investigation
Results
Conclusion
References

Introduction
Concept of floating bridge
When high voltage is applied to
distilled water filled in two glass
beakers which are in contact, a stable
water connection forms spontaneously,
giving the impression of floating bridge.
Two beakers (100ml) filled with deionized
water and separated by 1mm distance

Introduction
Two beakers set on a even plane , one is
fixed and other is movable
High d.c voltage is applied by
putting electrodes into the beakers
The water moved up the glass walls and
built a water bridge as shown in fig.
Then forms a stable cylindrical bridge
between two beakers

Introduction
If movable beaker is pushed away
from the fixed one the bridge remain
intact up to an extension of 25 mm.

Introduction
Bridges are type of structures which
help us to overcome various types of
obstacles.
Floating Bridges are special type of
bridges which use forces of water to
sustain their self-weight and traffic
loads.

Floating Bridges Principle

Any object, wholly or partially immersed in a fluid,
is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of fluid
displaced by the object.

Types of Bridges
Continuous pontoon bridge

Separated pontoon bridge

Semi-submerged foundation bridge

Gravity foundation bridge

Long span separated bridge

Classification of floating bridges

These are classified as 1) separated pontoon
2) continuous pontoon bridge
These are the most commonly used for
civilian water crossing.
These types of bridges have been
constructed as permanent or fixed bridges

Classification of floating bridges

Ribbon floating bridges
These are assembled together in the
field(rapid deployment)
Primarily used by military forces and
emergency management for rapid
deployment.
It takes only 30-50 minutes to
assemble a 382m bridge

Advantages of Floating Bridges

Earthquake Prone areas.

Deep foundation are uneconomical.
Speed in Construction.
Lack of budget.
Weak foundation soils.
Endangered Marine life areas.
Can be used as temporary or permanent.
Strategically military purpose.

Disadvantages of Floating Bridges

Not suitable if the water channel is
being used as water way for boats,
ships, etc.
High Water turbulence areas.
High wind turbulence areas.

Objectives
Experiment is done to determine the
response of the bridge under 2-axle
dynamic loading.
It is conducted to determine speed
limit of vehicle
Model of the bridge is created in
laboratory

Analysis and Design

Bridges are not subjected to only
static loads, most of the time they are
subjected to dynamic loads.
Speed of the vehicles is directly
proportional to the impact factor.
Span length must be optimized.

Analysis and Design

To determine the load carrying
capacity of the bridge.
Upward force = Wt. of the bridge + Wt. of the vehicle

Load carrying capacity is directly

proportional to volume of the water
displaced by the base

Analysis and Design

The floating bridge must be
designed to carry Class AA type
vehicle.

Experimental investigation
An experiment is conducted to determine
the speed limit of vehicles on the bridge.
Model of the Ribbon pontoon floating
bridge is created in the laboratory.

Experimental Investigation
Experiment is done for the response of the
bridge under two-axle dynamic loading.

Experimental Investigation
Three type of bridges were built,such that the
overall length of bridge is 2400mm.
2-pontoon bridge (each pontoon length=1200mm)
4-pontoon bridge (each pontoon length=600mm)
8-pontoon bridge (each pontoon length=300mm)

Results
Both Analytical and experimental
results were obtained and compared.
5
0 0
0

1
0.5

0.5
1

1.5

-5

-20

2.5

8 pontoon
4 pontoon
2 pontoon

-10
-15

-16

Conclusion
Deflection increases as the no of
pontoon increased but difference
was very small.
Deflection increased as the speed
increased.
Maximum deflection for worst
condition found to be 16mm

Conclusion
The Experimental analysis showed
better result than Analytical result.
The Error between Analytical and
Experimental results were found to
be 12%-38%.

References
1.

Transportation Optimization of Ribbon Floating Bridges:

Analytical and Experimental Investigation . By Giannin Viecili1
and Abass Braimah.

2.

Accuracy and precision in the analysis and design of Floating

Bridges. By Colin B Brown, University of Washington.

3.

The Floating water bridge, Elmar C Fuchs , W Jacob and Karl

Gatterer.

4.

Dynamic analysis of a pontoon separated floating bridge,Wang

Cong ,Fu shi-xion

Thank You