A Bailey bridge is a type of portable, pre-fabricated truss bridge that was invented by British engineer Donald Bailey during World War II. It was designed to be easily transported and assembled by military personnel in the field, and has since been used in a variety of civilian and military applications.
Definitions
A Bailey bridge is a type of portable, pre-fabricated truss bridge that is typically made of steel. It is designed to be easily transported and assembled by military personnel in the field, and can be used to span gaps of up to 200 feet. The bridge consists of a series of pre-fabricated truss panels that are bolted together to form a continuous structure.
Origin
The Bailey bridge was invented by British engineer Donald Bailey during World War II. Bailey was working for the British War Office at the time, and was tasked with developing a portable bridge that could be easily transported and assembled by military personnel in the field. His design was based on the concept of a pre-fabricated truss bridge, which had been used in the construction of railway bridges in the United States.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a Bailey bridge is “a portable, pre-fabricated truss bridge that can be easily transported and assembled by military personnel in the field.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “a prefabricated truss bridge that can be quickly assembled and used for temporary purposes.”
Associations
The Bailey bridge is primarily associated with military operations, and has been used by armies around the world for temporary bridge construction. It has also been used in a variety of civilian applications, including disaster relief efforts and infrastructure projects.
Synonyms
Synonyms for Bailey bridge include portable bridge, pre-fabricated bridge, and truss bridge.
Antonyms
Antonyms for Bailey bridge include permanent bridge, suspension bridge, and cable-stayed bridge.
The same root words
The term “Bailey bridge” is named after its inventor, Donald Bailey. The word “bridge” comes from the Old English word “brycg,” which means “a structure built to span physical obstacles.”
Example Sentences
- The army used a Bailey bridge to cross the river.
- The Bailey bridge was quickly assembled by the engineering team.
- The disaster relief team brought in a Bailey bridge to span the gap.
- The temporary Bailey bridge was replaced by a permanent suspension bridge.