Bridge Test Sites

Assets and facilities are available for testing performance, durability, and reliability of all assault, tactical, and wet-gap bridges and their associated launching systems

Dry-Gap Testing:- Two separate dry-gap test sites, allowing for competitive testing- Prepared abutments consist of level, longitudinal slope, and side slope configurations- The infrastructure supports a wide variety of performance and reliability testing- The sites are located near the Munson and Perryman Test Areas, which can be used extensively during system reliability testing

Wet-Gap Testing - Floating bridge systems are tested at wet-gap test sites, including:- A sheltered-water river with access to the Chesapeake Bay for floating bridge rafting tests and Bridge Erection Boat testing- A sheltered-water test site on the Chesapeake Bay for floating bridge launch, retrieval and bridge construction. The site is equipped with offices and storage areas and is located in the vicinity of the Munson Test Area for convenient testing of automotive and other performance parameters- A still-water inland pond to accommodate floating bridges up to 300 feet long. The site has a variety of bank heights and slopes, and allows for performance and durability crossings of vehicles over floating bridges