ABSTRACT
Continuous floating bridges are the most usable type of floating bridges in military operations. It is
called the assault launching bridges, their units (pontoons) are carried on vehicles and easily thrown in
the water barrier and then self mechanically opened. The pontoons are rigidly connected by compression
connections at upper side in addition to tension connections at lower side.
3D FEM for continuous floating bridge is done to analyze the stability of this type of bridges under
traffic loading in addition to hydrostatic forces exerted by surrounding water media.
This paper presents the analysis of the old (existing) rigidly connected floating bridge under MLC 60
and MLC70, in order to find the points of weakness, and to understand the behavior of the bridge. Then,
another analysis is done for the modified floating bridge under MLC 70. Comparison is done between
old and modified bridges.