The Medium Girder Bridge (MGB) is a lightweight, man portable bridge and can be assembled without help from heavy equipment. In addition, it is also a deck type, two-girder bridging system capable of carrying loads up to and including Main battle tanks (MBT).
MGB was originally produced by Fairey Engineering Ltd., in Stockport England and is still made to this day by its successor WFEL based on a design by MVEE in Christchurch.
MGB was originally sold to the British Army in 1971, subsequently also being sold to many other nations including the Dutch Swiss and US Military.
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The primary components of the MGB system are rectangular "top deck" segments, and triangular bracing "bottom deck" segments. All segments are man portable.
Short/low load bridges can be constructed using just top deck components. Bracing with the additional lower deck dramatically strengthens the bridge allowing heavier loads and longer spans. Spans can reach 30 metres.
The segments have knuckle joints at each end; assembly consists of simply engaging the knuckle joints of adjacent segments then inserting a pin through a hole down the length of the knuckle. In this way as many segments as are needed are connected end to end to form a girder of the required length to span the obstruction.
Two such longitudinal girders are constructed parallel to each other to provide the bridge's strength. Deck units are then laid between these to form a 4.0 m (13 ft 2 in) wide roadway.
MGB can be built in various configurations to provide a full range of bridging capability for use both in the forward battle area and in the communications zone. Speed of erection by the fewest number of soldiers is its major characteristic. The MGB also requires very little maintenance once erected, is air transportable in either standard palletized loads or in partially assembled bridge configurations, and all US components will fit MGBs in use by allies (except for the launching nose cross girder posts)
The bridge can be supported on unprepared and uneven ground without grillages. It is constructed on one roller beam for single-story construction; two roller beams, 4.6 m apart, for double-story construction; and on three roller beams when constructing a double-story bridge over 12 bays long. The ends of the roller beams are supported on base plates and each can be adjusted in height. No leveling or other preparation of the ground is required. Single-span bridges are launched using a centrally mounted launching nose.
The MGB parts are fabricated from a specially developed zinc, magnesium, and aluminum alloy (DGFVE 232A). This enables a lightweight, high strength bridge to be built. All except three parts weigh under 200 kg. Most parts can be handled easily by four soldiers. The three heavier parts, used in limited quantities, are six-man loads.
Up to 9.8 m span with a MLC[2] of 70
The single story MGB bridge is constructed using top panels which are pinned together to form two girders and joined at each end by a bank seat beam creating a rigid framework. This type of bridge is used for short spans that will carry light loads. Single-story bridges can be constructed by 9 to 17 soldiers.
Up to 31.1 m span with a MLC of 70
In the double story MGB bridge, the girders consist of top and bottom panels, with junction panels and end taper panels forming the sloping end of the bridge. In both cases, ramp, deck and curb units complete the construction. The heavier duty double-storey configuration is used for heavy loads or longer spans. The normal building party for double-storey bridges is 25 soldiers.
Up to 49.4 m span with a MLC of 60
The MGB Link Reinforcement Set (LRS) consists of reinforcing links which are 3.66 metres (12 ft) long, plus short links of 1.82 meters (6 ft), which are pinned together to form chains under each girder.
The chains are suspended 2 meters (6 ft 6 in) beneath each bottom chord of the bridge and tensioned after building, by pulling the reinforcing posts into the vertical position. This creates a fully reinforced structure.
The Link Reinforcement Set (LRS) is constructed when a long, high class type of bridge is required. The LRS deepens the girder and transfers the load throughout the length of the bridge. This type of construction requires a building party of 34 soldiers, and is built on three roller beams.
Although using an LRS provides a longer bridge span, it lowers the Military Load Class from 70 to 60. This prohibits the heavier vehicles in use by the military from crossing.
2 span double story up to 51.5 m with a MLC of 70
3 span double story up to 76 m with a MLC of 70
The MGB Span Junction Set consists of span junction posts, which are pinned together at the top and connected at the bottom by hydraulic articulators.
The Span Junction Set gives the MGB Double Story bridge a multi-span capability and allows bridges to be constructed over supports which are either fixed or floating. These may include any combination of existing supports, pontoons, existing or improvised piers and the MGB Portable Pier.
MGB Double Story multi-span bridges usually take the form of two or three span structures rated at MLC 70. The two span bridge can have an overall length of up to 51.5 meters (169 ft), while the three span can be 76 meters (250 ft). This requires a total crew of 40 personnel—24 for the main bridge, 8 for the MGB Portable Pier and 8 to install anchorages.
Up to MLC of 60
Floating MGBs can be constructed in single or double story configurations using the same components as the dry bridge configurations:
Single and double story Floating MGBs can be built using standard MGB superstructures, carried on MGB Pontoons with single story hinge bays or double story Span Junction Sets to provide articulation. The length of these bridges is limited only by the amount of equipment available.
MGB pontoons
The MGB Pontoon is fabricated from marine grade aluminum alloy.
Two pontoons are coupled back to back to create each pontoon pier. Three such piers make up one landing bay raft. Powered pontoons are driven by a 75 hp (56 kW) diesel engine with a water jet propulsion unit. Fully laden pontoons can operate in currents up to 2.5 m/s (4.9 knots).
MACH MGB (Mechanically Aided Construction by Hand) is a semi-mechanized bridge building system, which reduces the size of construction crews from 25 to 9, for similar build times.
This is achieved by prefabricating MGB components into modules in a separate assembly area. The bridge is then constructed using a suitable crane or CALM vehicle.
MACH MGB uses standard MGB components supplemented by special components designed to assist mechanical handling.
The advantages of MACH MGB over other purpose-built mechanized systems are:
MGB handrail
The MGB handrail is designed to provide a significant increase in awareness of roadway width for both military and civilian drivers. It consists of vertical connecting posts with longitudinal hand rails, creating a continuous barrier along the edge of the bridge. Handrail components can be carried on an MGB palletor unit transport.
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