Protection against Flood and Drift

Military bridges are protected against flood, ice, and drift by the usual methods of civil practice. Trestles may be strengthened against lateral thrust by guying upstream or strutting downstream. One or more wide spans, with booms or guide walls, may be provided for the passage of ice and drift. Cribs or clumps of piles are used as fenders and ice breakers. Ponton bridges should have a draw span that may be removed for the passage of drift, with booms to guide the latter into the opening.

Inspection of Bridges

All the important bridges in the area occupied by an army should be inspected at suitable intervals by specially qualified engineer-officers. This should be done at least once a month, and the results of the inspection reported to the Chief Engineer. At such inspections, any change in the nature or density of the traffic should be ascertained. It is quite as important to note the change in the condition of the bridge since the last inspection, as it is to determine its present condition.