Steel Bailey Bridge factory - Modular Steel Bridge manufacturer from China

Quality Steel Bailey Bridge & Modular Steel Bridge Factory

In modern military operations and emergency response scenarios, military emergency bridges serve as critical infrastructure to ensure the unimpeded movement of troops, equipment, and supplies. For the Malaysian military, which faces diverse geographical and climatic challenges, high-quality emergency bridges that comply with international design standards are essential for maintaining operational readiness and fulfilling disaster relief missions. As a professional bridge design and manufacturing enterprise, Evercross Bridge Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (EVERCROSS BRIDGE TECHNOLOGY (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.) specializes in the R&D and production of military emergency bridges meeting AS5100 standards. Let’s elaborate on the definition and characteristics of military emergency bridges, the urgency of Malaysia's demand for such bridges, the mandatory military-grade inspection reports for export, relevant bridge design codes, and the comprehensive technical support services provided by Evercross. 1. What is a Military Emergency Bridge? A military emergency bridge is a specialized temporary or semi-permanent bridge engineered for rapid deployment in critical scenarios, including military manoeuvres, combat support, natural disaster relief, and post-conflict reconstruction. Distinguished from conventional civil bridges, it is specifically tailored to meet the rigorous demands of military operations, such as swift assembly/disassembly, exceptional load-bearing capacity for heavy armoured vehicles, and robust adaptability to harsh and unpredictable terrains. Typically adopting a modular truss structure, military emergency bridges can be efficiently transported via military trucks, helicopters, or cargo ships, and assembled by a small team of trained personnel within a short timeframe without relying on large-scale construction equipment. Common types include Bailey bridges, Medium Girder Bridges (MGB), Rapidly Emplaced Bridge Systems (REBS), and floating bridges, each designed to address specific operational needs—ranging from crossing rivers, valleys, and craters to restoring transportation links in disaster-stricken or combat-damaged areas. 2. Key Advantages and Characteristics of Military Emergency Bridges Military emergency bridges possess distinct advantages that make them indispensable for military and emergency response missions: Rapid Deployment and Disassembly: The modular design, featuring standardized components and quick-connect fasteners, enables on-site assembly without complex equipment. For instance, Evercross’s single-layer Medium Girder Bridge (MGB) can be erected by 9-17 trained military personnel in less than 9 minutes, while our standard 30-meter Bailey bridge can be fully assembled within 2-3 hours by a 15-person team. This rapid response capability ensures that military operations, disaster relief efforts, or emergency resupply missions are not hindered by transportation bottlenecks. Superior Load-Bearing Capacity: Engineered to withstand the weight of heavy military assets, Evercross’s military emergency bridges boast a minimum load capacity of 70 tons, capable of accommodating main battle tanks (e.g., Malaysia’s PT-91M Pendekar tanks), armoured personnel carriers, and heavy logistics vehicles. This performance is achieved through the adoption of high-strength Q690 steel for core components and an optimized truss structure design that evenly distributes loads across the entire bridge system, ensuring structural stability under extreme operational conditions. Exceptional Adaptability: These bridges can be deployed in diverse environments, including rivers, valleys, wetlands, and earthquake-stricken areas. Floating variants are suitable for crossing large water bodies, while truss-type bridges can adapt to uneven terrain and steep slopes. They also exhibit strong resistance to extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain, strong winds, and high temperatures. Easy Transportation and Maintenance: Modular components are lightweight and compact, facilitating transportation by military vehicles, aircraft, or ships. Damaged components can be quickly replaced during operations, minimizing downtime. Additionally, the steel structure allows for long-term storage without significant degradation, ensuring readiness for immediate use when needed. Versatility: Beyond military operations, these bridges can be utilized for civilian disaster relief, such as connecting communities cut off by floods or landslides. This dual-use capability enhances their value and cost-effectiveness for governments and military forces. 3. Why Malaysia Needs a Large Number of Military Emergency Bridges Malaysia's geographical, climatic, and security conditions make the acquisition of military emergency bridges a strategic priority: Firstly, frequent natural disasters demand rapid response capabilities. Malaysia, located in a tropical monsoon region, is highly prone to floods, especially in states like Pahang, Johor, and Kelantan. Heavy rainfall during the northeast monsoon (November to March) often causes riverine floods, leading to the collapse or submergence of existing bridges and cutting off access to affected communities. For instance, in January 2021, severe floods in Pahang destroyed over 50 rural bridges, prompting the Malaysian Army to deploy engineering units to construct temporary Bailey bridges for emergency access. In December 2022, similar floods in Johor disrupted transportation networks, highlighting the urgent need for reliable, rapidly deployable emergency bridges. With climate change intensifying the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, Malaysia’s demand for high-performance military emergency bridges to enhance disaster response capabilities has become increasingly pressing. Secondly,geographical challenges hinder transportation connectivity. Malaysia's terrain is characterized by extensive rainforests, numerous rivers, and mountainous regions, which create natural barriers to transportation. Many rural and remote areas rely on a limited number of bridges, making them vulnerable to disruption. Military emergency bridges provide a flexible solution to maintain connectivity in these regions, supporting both military operations and civilian logistics during emergencies. Thirdly, national security and military operational requirements. As part of its national defense strategy, Malaysia's military requires the ability to deploy troops and equipment rapidly across the country, including in remote border areas. Emergency bridges enable the military to overcome unexpected obstacles, such as destroyed infrastructure during conflicts or terrorist incidents, ensuring operational flexibility and readiness. Finally, infrastructure development and regional cooperation. Malaysia's participation in regional security and disaster relief efforts, such as assisting neighboring countries during emergencies, requires a robust inventory of emergency bridges. These assets enhance Malaysia's ability to contribute to regional stability and humanitarian missions. Evercross has already demonstrated our capability in supporting Malaysia's infrastructure needs through a successful 2022 project: we supplied and implemented the HD200 Bailey bridge in Malaysia, with key parameters including a 39.624-meter bridge span, a 4.2-meter lane width, and design load complying with BS5400 HA+20HB. The bridge adopted hot-dip galvanizing for surface protection and was fully implemented in accordance with the BS5400 Code for Steel, Concrete and Composite Bridges. This project not only solved the local temporary transportation connectivity challenge but also laid a solid foundation for our development in the Malaysian military emergency bridge sector—it enabled us to gain in-depth insights into Malaysia's local construction standards, climate adaptation requirements, and military procurement processes, establishing a trusted cooperative relationship with local authorities and engineering teams. 4. Mandatory Military-Grade Inspection Reports for Exported Military Emergency Bridges to Malaysia To ensure the reliability, safety, and compliance of military emergency bridges exported to Malaysia, a series of rigorous military-grade inspections are mandatory. Evercross Bridge Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. fully complies with these requirements and has established a comprehensive quality control system to conduct all necessary inspections, providing authoritative reports to verify product qualification: 4.1 Structural Load-Bearing Capacity Test This test evaluates the bridge's ability to withstand design loads, including static loads (dead weight of the bridge structure) and dynamic loads (impact and vibration from moving military vehicles). Inspectors simulate the continuous passage of 70-ton main battle tanks and 30-ton armoured personnel carriers to verify structural integrity, maximum deflection (which must not exceed 1/500 of the span length per AS5100.2 requirements), and stress distribution in critical components (such as truss joints and crossbeams). Evercross conducts these tests using advanced finite element analysis (FEA) software (ANSYS and LUSAS) for preliminary simulation, followed by on-site load testing at our Zhenjiang manufacturing base, which is equipped with a 100-ton load testing system. Test reports include detailed data on load capacity, stress distribution, deflection values, and safety margins, confirming the bridge's suitability for military use. Evercross has successfully passed this test for all our military emergency bridge models, with test results meeting or exceeding Malaysian military standards. 4.2 Rapid Assembly and Disassembly Efficiency Test Given the critical importance of rapid deployment in military and disaster relief scenarios, this test measures the time required to assemble and disassemble the bridge under field-like conditions, using only the specified personnel and standard military equipment (e.g., hand tools and small cranes). Evercross’s modular emergency bridges are designed to meet strict assembly time standards, with test reports documenting assembly/disassembly durations, personnel requirements, and equipment lists. For example, our 20-meter Bailey bridge variant can be assembled by 15-20 trained military personnel in 2 hours, and disassembled in 1 hour, as verified by SGS, an authoritative third-party inspection agency. These test results demonstrate that our bridges can meet the Malaysian military’s requirement for rapid response in emergency scenarios. 4.3 Environmental Adaptability Test This test assesses the bridge's performance under Malaysia's harsh tropical environmental conditions, including high humidity (average relative humidity of 85%), extreme temperatures (30-40°C), heavy rainfall (annual rainfall exceeding 2000mm), and salt spray in coastal areas. Key inspections include: 1) Corrosion resistance testing of steel components: Conducted in accordance with ASTM B117 standards, the salt spray test lasts for 1000 hours, with the anti-corrosion coating (hot-dip galvanization + epoxy primer + polyurethane topcoat) showing no signs of rust or peeling. 2) Water resistance testing of floating bridge components: Ensuring watertightness under 1.2 times the design water pressure. 3) Structural stability testing under strong winds: Verifying that the bridge can withstand wind speeds of up to 50 km/h (Malaysia’s average maximum wind speed during monsoons) without excessive vibration or structural deformation. Evercross uses high-quality corrosion-resistant materials and conducts accelerated aging tests to simulate 10 years of exposure to tropical environments, ensuring the bridge's durability and reliability. Test reports include detailed results of salt spray tests, humidity tests, temperature cycle tests, and wind load tests, confirming compliance with military environmental standards. 4.4 Material Quality Inspection All structural materials, including high-strength steel plates, bolts, nuts, and connectors, undergo strict quality inspections to ensure they meet military-grade standards (GB/T 1591-2018 for high-strength steel). Inspections include: 1) Chemical composition analysis: Using a spectrometer to verify the content of carbon, manganese, silicon, and other elements, ensuring compliance with material standards. 2) Mechanical property testing: Conducting tensile strength, yield strength, and impact resistance tests (at -20°C to simulate extreme conditions), with the tensile strength of Q690 steel reaching 770-940 MPa. 3) Non-destructive testing (NDT) of welds: Using ultrasonic testing (UT) and radiographic testing (RT) to detect internal and surface defects in welds, with a defect detection rate of 100% and weld quality meeting AWS D1.1 standards. Evercross sources materials from certified suppliers (e.g., Baoshan Iron & Steel) and provides material test certificates (MTC) for all critical components, ensuring full traceability and strict quality control throughout the production process. 4.5 Safety and Crashworthiness Test Military emergency bridges must meet strict safety standards to protect personnel and equipment. This test evaluates the performance of bridge barriers and railings in preventing vehicle collisions and ensuring the safety of pedestrians and vehicles. Inspections are conducted in accordance with AS5100's provisions for bridge barriers, which require barriers to have sufficient containment capacity and crashworthiness. Evercross's bridge barriers are designed and tested to withstand impacts from military vehicles, with test reports documenting their performance in crash simulations. 4.6 Fatigue Life Test This test assesses the bridge's durability under repeated loading, simulating long-term use in military operations. Fatigue life testing is conducted using specialized equipment to apply cyclic loads to critical structural components, ensuring the bridge meets the design service life requirement (typically 10-15 years for temporary military bridges). Evercross's test reports include fatigue life data and analysis, confirming the bridge's ability to withstand repeated use without structural failure. Evercross Bridge Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. has obtained relevant certifications for all the above inspections from authoritative third-party institutions, including SGS and BV. Our military emergency bridges fully comply with Malaysian military standards and AS5100 series standards. Our proven track record in Malaysia, such as the 2022 HD200 Bailey bridge project, further validates our ability to meet local technical and quality requirements—this project, implemented in strict accordance with BS5400 standards, was highly recognized by the local project party for its reliable performance and timely delivery. In addition, our quality control system is certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015, ensuring that every link from raw material procurement to production, inspection, and delivery meets international quality and environmental standards. We can provide complete sets of inspection reports and certification documents to the Malaysian military for verification, demonstrating our commitment to product quality and compliance. The success of the 2022 HD200 Bailey bridge project has become a key milestone for our expansion in the Malaysian military emergency bridge market, helping us build credibility and gain a deeper understanding of the military's specific needs, which in turn allows us to better tailor our products and services to meet the Malaysian military's operational requirements. 5. Malaysian Bridge Design Codes and International Standards: Differences and Comparisons 5.1 Malaysian Bridge Design Code Malaysia primarily adopts the Australian Standard AS5100 for bridge design, including military emergency bridges. AS5100 is a comprehensive series of standards covering the design, construction, and assessment of road, rail, pedestrian, and cyclist bridges. Key parts relevant to emergency bridges include: AS5100.1:2017: General requirements for the design of new bridges and associated structures, such as retaining walls and crash walls. AS5100.2: Loads and load combinations, specifying traffic loading requirements, including notional vehicles and lane loads, which are critical for military bridges supporting heavy vehicles. AS5100.3: Foundation and soil-supporting structures, providing requirements for the design of bridge foundations to ensure stability in diverse soil conditions. AS5100.9: Steel and composite steel-concrete structures, detailing design requirements for steel components, welds, and connections—essential for modular emergency bridges. Malaysia's adoption of AS5100 ensures alignment with international best practices while addressing local environmental and traffic conditions. The standard emphasizes safety, durability, and serviceability, making it suitable for military applications that demand high reliability. 5.2 Major International Bridge Design Codes In addition to AS5100, several other international bridge design codes are widely used globally: European Code (Eurocode EN 1991-2): Covers traffic loads for bridges in the European Union, specifying load models for road and rail bridges. It emphasizes limit state design and considers dynamic effects and simultaneous lane loading. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO): The primary bridge design code in the United States, focusing on highway bridges. It includes detailed provisions for load capacity, material properties, and structural design, with specific requirements for military and emergency bridges. Canadian Standards Association (CSA S6-14): Governs the design of bridges in Canada, incorporating requirements for extreme weather conditions such as snow, ice, and cold temperatures. It emphasizes durability and structural performance in harsh climates. Chinese JTG D60-2015: China's national standard for highway bridge design, specifying load combinations, structural design, and construction requirements. It is widely used for bridge projects in China and in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. British Standards (BS 5400): The former UK bridge design code, now largely replaced by Eurocode but still referenced in some legacy projects. It includes provisions for steel, concrete, and composite bridges. 5.3 Differences Between AS5100 and Other International Codes While all international bridge design codes aim to ensure structural safety and durability, significant differences exist in load models, design philosophies, and local adaptability, particularly between AS5100 and other major standards: Firstly, traffic load requirements. AS5100 specifies unique notional vehicle loads (e.g., Class A, Class B, and Heavy Load Platforms (HLP)) and lane loads, which differ significantly from those in Eurocode and AASHTO. For example, AS5100’s HLP load model (300 kN concentrated load) is specifically designed to accommodate heavy military and industrial vehicles, which is not present in Eurocode EN 1991-2. AASHTO, on the other hand, uses the HS20-44 truck load model, which has a lower load capacity compared to AS5100’s HLP. These differences result in varying load effects on bridge structures, requiring manufacturers to conduct targeted structural design and optimization when exporting to Malaysia to ensure compliance with local load requirements. Secondly, environmental considerations. AS5100 is tailored to Australia's and Southeast Asia's tropical and subtropical climates, emphasizing corrosion resistance and durability in high-humidity environments. In contrast, Eurocode and CSA S6-14 focus more on cold weather performance, such as frost resistance and snow loads. This makes AS5100 particularly suitable for Malaysia's climate conditions. Thirdly, design philosophy. AS5100 adopts a limit state design approach, similar to Eurocode and AASHTO, but with specific load factors and safety margins tailored to local conditions. For example, AS5100's load factors for dynamic effects differ from those in AASHTO, reflecting differences in traffic characteristics and bridge usage patterns. Finally, material specifications. AS5100 includes detailed requirements for steel and composite materials used in bridge construction, with specific standards for corrosion protection and weld quality. These requirements may differ from those in Chinese or American codes, requiring manufacturers to adjust their production processes to ensure compliance. 5. Comprehensive Technical Support Services Provided by Evercross Evercross Bridge Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. is committed to providing end-to-end technical support services to the Malaysian military, ensuring the successful deployment and operation of our military emergency bridges: Customized Design Services: Our team of 15+ experienced bridge design engineers, all familiar with AS5100 and Malaysian military requirements, provides customized bridge solutions tailored to specific operational needs, such as load capacity, span length, and environmental conditions (e.g., coastal salt spray, mountainous terrain). We use advanced design software (ANSYS, LUSAS) to conduct finite element analysis and optimize structural designs for performance and cost-effectiveness. For example, we can customize the anti-corrosion system for bridges deployed in coastal areas of Malaysia and adjust the truss structure for bridges used in mountainous regions with complex terrain. On-Site Installation Training: We provide professional training for Malaysian military personnel on the assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of emergency bridges. Our training programs include theoretical instruction and hands-on practice, ensuring that personnel can operate the bridges efficiently and safely in field conditions. Technical Documentation and Guidance: We supply comprehensive technical documentation, including installation manuals, maintenance guides, and inspection reports, all in English and tailored to the Malaysian military's requirements. Our technical team is available to provide remote guidance and support via video conferencing and online platforms. After-Sales Maintenance and Spare Parts Supply: Evercross offers long-term after-sales maintenance services, including regular inspections and repairs, to ensure the ongoing reliability of the bridges. We maintain a stock of high-quality spare parts and can deliver them to Malaysia promptly, minimizing downtime in case of component failure. Compliance and Certification Support: We assist the Malaysian military in navigating the complex regulatory requirements for importing military emergency bridges, including providing all necessary inspection reports, certification documents, and customs clearance support. Our products fully comply with international trade regulations and Malaysian military standards. With our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility (covering 22,000 m²) located at No.103, Nanxu Avenue, Zhenjiang city, Jiangsu, China, and a dedicated R&D center in Changning District, Shanghai, China, Evercross possesses advanced production equipment (e.g., 100-ton gantry cranes, automatic welding robots) and a professional technical team. We have the capability to deliver high-quality, AS5100-compliant military emergency bridges with short lead times and provide comprehensive technical support services to the Malaysian military. Military emergency bridges meeting AS5100 design standards are critical for enhancing Malaysia's military operational readiness and disaster relief capabilities. The mandatory military-grade inspections, including structural load-bearing capacity, rapid assembly efficiency, environmental adaptability, and material quality tests, ensure the reliability and safety of these bridges. Evercross Bridge Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., with its expertise in AS5100 compliance, rigorous quality control system, and comprehensive technical support services, is the ideal partner for the Malaysian military in acquiring high-performance emergency bridge solutions. We are committed to supporting Malaysia's national security and disaster response efforts through our reliable products and professional services.

In the global mineral resource development and transportation chain, ore terminals serve as critical hubs connecting land mining and maritime shipping. The construction of ore terminals often faces challenges such as complex coastal terrain, harsh climatic conditions, and the need for efficient heavy-duty transportation. Steel trestle bridges, with their unique structural advantages, have become an indispensable core component in ore terminal engineering, providing reliable solutions for access channels, equipment deployment, and temporary construction platforms. We take the Nouadhibou New Ore Terminal project in Mauritania as a typical case, elaborates on the definition and advantages of steel trestle bridges, analyzes the geographical, climatic, and mineral resource characteristics of Mauritania, and deeply explores the application scenarios and value of steel trestle bridges in the Nouadhibou New Ore Terminal project, providing reference for similar engineering projects in harsh environments. I. What is Steel Trestle Bridge? 1.1 Definition and Structural Composition of Steel Trestle Bridge A steel trestle bridge is a temporary or permanent load-bearing structure composed of standardized steel components, mainly used to span rivers, valleys, coastal shoals, or other complex terrains to form access channels or working platforms. Structurally, it typically consists of three core parts: supports, main girders, and deck systems. The supports, usually in the form of steel pipe piles or steel columns, are driven into the foundation to bear the overall weight of the bridge and external loads; the main girders, made of high-strength steel trusses or box girders, form the main load-bearing framework, ensuring the structural stability of the bridge; the deck system, composed of steel plates, anti-skid layers, and railings, provides a safe passage for vehicles, equipment, and personnel. Unlike traditional cast-in-place concrete bridges, steel trestle bridges adopt a modular prefabrication production mode. All components are processed and manufactured in the factory with precise quality control, and then transported to the construction site for assembly. The assembly process mainly relies on bolt connection and simple welding, which greatly simplifies the on-site construction process. 1.2 Core Advantages of Steel Trestle Bridge Adapted to Ore Terminal Engineering Ore terminal engineering has strict requirements for supporting structures, such as strong load-bearing capacity, rapid construction, and adaptability to harsh coastal environments. Steel trestle bridges perfectly meet these requirements with the following core advantages: 1. Excellent Load-Bearing Capacity: Steel materials have high tensile and compressive strength. The main girders of steel trestle bridges, usually designed as truss structures, can effectively disperse loads and bear heavy weights. They can be customized according to the weight of ore transport vehicles (such as 40-ton to 100-ton dump trucks) and loading and unloading equipment (such as gantry cranes and stackers), ensuring the stable operation of heavy-duty transportation in ore terminals. 2. Rapid Construction and Short Cycle: All components of steel trestle bridges are prefabricated in factories, and on-site assembly only requires simple mechanical cooperation. For a medium-span steel trestle bridge (span 20-50 meters), the on-site construction can be completed in 1-2 weeks, which is far shorter than the construction cycle of concrete bridges (usually 2-3 months). This rapid construction advantage is crucial for ore terminal projects that need to be put into operation as soon as possible to realize mineral export. 3. Strong Adaptability to Complex Terrains: Steel trestle bridges can be flexibly designed according to terrain conditions. Whether it is spanning coastal shoals, tidal flats, or connecting wharves and shore storage yards, they can be adjusted in terms of span, height, and structural form. Especially in coastal areas with soft soil foundations, steel pipe pile supports can be deeply driven into the stable soil layer to ensure the stability of the bridge. 4. Excellent Corrosion Resistance and Durability: Aiming at the harsh coastal environment of ore terminals (high salt spray, high humidity, and easy corrosion of steel structures), steel trestle bridges adopt professional anti-corrosion treatment processes, such as sandblasting derusting (Sa2.5 level) + epoxy zinc-rich primer + epoxy micaceous iron oxide intermediate paint + polyurethane topcoat. Some key components can also be treated with hot-dip galvanizing, which can effectively resist the erosion of salt spray and humidity, ensuring a service life of more than 20 years. 5. Convenient Maintenance and Reusability: The modular structure of steel trestle bridges makes maintenance simple. Damaged components can be replaced individually without overall demolition, reducing maintenance costs and downtime. In addition, after the completion of temporary projects (such as terminal expansion construction), steel trestle bridges can be disassembled and reused in other projects, realizing the recycling of resources and reducing the total cost of the project. II. Mauritania: Geographical Climate, Mineral Resources and Infrastructure Background 2.1 Geographical and Climatic Characteristics Mauritania is located in Northwest Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Algeria to the northeast, Mali to the east and south, and Senegal to the southwest. Its territory covers an area of about 1.03 million square kilometers, most of which is covered by the Sahara Desert, accounting for about 75% of the total area. The country's terrain is dominated by plateaus and deserts, with a narrow coastal plain in the west, where the Nouadhibou region is located. The climate of Mauritania is typically arid and semi-arid. The coastal area (including Nouadhibou) has a tropical desert climate, with hot and dry weather throughout the year, annual average temperature of 25-30℃, and extremely low annual precipitation (less than 100 mm). The coastal area is often affected by the Harmattan wind (a dry and hot wind blowing from the Sahara Desert), which brings a lot of sand and dust, causing serious sand erosion to structures. In addition, the coastal waters of Nouadhibou have strong tides, with a tidal range of up to 2-3 meters, and the coastal shoals are exposed during low tides and submerged during high tides, which brings great challenges to the construction of coastal infrastructure. 2.2 Rich Mineral Resources and the Importance of Ore Terminals Mauritania is rich in mineral resources, which are the pillar of its national economy. The main mineral resources include iron ore, copper, gold, silver, and phosphate, among which iron ore is the most important export product, accounting for more than 60% of the country's total exports. The iron ore reserves of Mauritania are estimated to be about 1.5 billion tons, with high grade (iron content of 65-70%), mainly distributed in the Zouérat region in the northeast of the country. The transportation of iron ore from the mining area to the export terminal is the key link of Mauritania's mineral resource development. The existing transportation system mainly relies on the railway from Zouérat to Nouadhibou, with a total length of about 670 kilometers, which is the longest railway in Mauritania. The Nouadhibou Ore Terminal, located in the Nouadhibou region, is the only large-scale ore export terminal in Mauritania, responsible for loading and shipping most of the country's iron ore. However, with the continuous increase of iron ore mining output, the existing terminal capacity has been unable to meet the export demand. Therefore, the Mauritanian government decided to build a new ore terminal in Nouadhibou to expand the loading and shipping capacity and promote the development of the mineral resource industry. 2.3 Application Scenarios of Bridges in Mauritania's Infrastructure Construction Due to Mauritania's complex geographical environment (deserts, plateaus, and coastal shoals) and the needs of mineral resource transportation, bridges play an important role in its infrastructure construction. The main application scenarios include: 1. Mineral Transportation Routes: Bridges are needed to span rivers and gullies along the railway and highway from the Zouérat iron ore mining area to the Nouadhibou terminal, ensuring the smooth transportation of iron ore. 2. Coastal Terminal Construction: In the construction and operation of ore terminals, steel trestle bridges are needed to connect the wharf and the shore storage yard, as well as to provide working platforms for loading and unloading equipment and construction personnel. 3. Rural and Urban Infrastructure: In urban and rural areas, bridges are used to span rivers (such as the Senegal River on the border with Senegal) to improve local transportation conditions. 4. Emergency Disaster Relief: In the event of sandstorms, floods, or other natural disasters that damage transportation routes, temporary steel trestle bridges can be quickly deployed to restore traffic. Among these scenarios, the application of steel trestle bridges in coastal ore terminals is the most representative, as they can effectively adapt to the harsh coastal environment and the heavy-duty transportation needs of ore terminals. III. Case Study: Application of Steel Trestle Bridge in Nouadhibou New Ore Terminal Project 3.1 Project Overview of Nouadhibou New Ore Terminal The Nouadhibou New Ore Terminal project is a key national infrastructure project in Mauritania, invested and constructed by the Mauritanian National Mining Corporation (SNIM) in cooperation with international investors. The project is located in the coastal area of Nouadhibou, about 10 kilometers north of the existing ore terminal. The main construction content includes a new 1.2-kilometer-long wharf, a 500,000-square-meter ore storage yard, a loading system, and supporting transportation facilities. The designed annual loading capacity of the new terminal is 30 million tons, which will double the existing terminal's capacity after completion, greatly promoting the export of Mauritania's iron ore. The construction of the project faces many challenges: first, the coastal terrain is complex, with a large area of shoals and soft soil foundations, which requires high stability of the supporting structures; second, the coastal environment has high salt spray and strong tides, which requires the structures to have excellent corrosion resistance; third, the project schedule is tight, and the supporting transportation channels need to be put into use as soon as possible to ensure the transportation of construction materials and subsequent ore loading. After in-depth demonstration, the project team decided to adopt steel trestle bridges as the core supporting structure for connecting the wharf and the shore storage yard, as well as the temporary construction platform. 3.2 Design and Selection of Steel Trestle Bridge in the Project According to the actual needs of the Nouadhibou New Ore Terminal project, the project team customized two types of steel trestle bridges: the permanent steel trestle bridge for ore transportation and the temporary steel trestle bridge for construction. 1. Permanent Steel Trestle Bridge for Ore Transportation: This trestle bridge is 850 meters long, with a span of 30 meters per section, and a total of 28 sections. The deck width is 12 meters, which can meet the two-way passage of 80-ton ore dump trucks and the operation of loading equipment. The main girders adopt steel truss structures made of Q355B high-strength steel, which have strong load-bearing capacity and wind resistance. The supports adopt φ800mm steel pipe piles, which are driven 15 meters deep into the soil layer to ensure stability in the soft coastal foundation. The anti-corrosion treatment adopts the "sandblasting derusting (Sa2.5 level) + epoxy zinc-rich primer (80μm) + epoxy micaceous iron oxide intermediate paint (100μm) + polyurethane topcoat (60μm)" process, and the key components are treated with hot-dip galvanizing to enhance corrosion resistance in the high-salt-spray environment. 2. Temporary Steel Trestle Bridge for Construction: This trestle bridge is 420 meters long, with a span of 20 meters per section and a deck width of 8 meters, mainly used for the transportation of construction materials (such as steel, cement, and equipment) and the passage of construction personnel. The main girders adopt prefabricated steel box girders, which are lightweight and easy to assemble. The supports adopt φ600mm steel pipe piles, which can be disassembled and reused after the completion of the main project. The anti-corrosion treatment adopts a simplified process (sandblasting derusting + epoxy zinc-rich primer + polyurethane topcoat) to balance cost and durability. In addition, the design of the steel trestle bridge fully considers the local climatic conditions. The wind load is calculated according to the maximum wind speed of 50 m/s (Harmattan wind), and the deck is equipped with sand-proof railings to reduce the impact of sand and dust on the operation of vehicles and equipment. The bridge deck is also designed with a drainage slope to avoid the accumulation of rainwater (though rare) and seawater splashes, protecting the deck structure. 3.3 Construction Process of Steel Trestle Bridge in the Project The construction of the steel trestle bridge in the Nouadhibou New Ore Terminal project adopts a modular assembly method, which is divided into four stages: prefabrication of components, transportation of components, on-site installation, and quality inspection. The whole construction process fully embodies the advantage of rapid construction of steel trestle bridges. 1. Prefabrication of Components: All steel components (main girders, supports, deck plates, etc.) of the trestle bridge were prefabricated in the factory of Evercross Bridge Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., a professional modular steel bridge manufacturer. During the prefabrication process, strict quality control was implemented, including the inspection of raw materials (chemical composition and mechanical properties of steel), welding quality (non-destructive testing such as UT and MT), and anti-corrosion treatment (coating thickness and adhesion testing). Before delivery, SGS, an authoritative third-party inspection institution, conducted a comprehensive inspection of the components and issued an inspection report, ensuring that the quality of the components met the BS5400 bridge design standard and the project requirements. 2. Transportation of Components: The prefabricated components were transported from Shanghai Port to Nouadhibou Port by sea. Considering the limited transportation capacity of Nouadhibou Port and the complex coastal road conditions, the components were packaged in a modular way, with each package weight controlled within 20 tons to facilitate on-site unloading and transportation. The transportation process was supervised by a professional logistics team to ensure that the components arrived at the construction site intact and on time. 3. On-Site Installation: The on-site installation was carried out by a professional construction team with rich experience in coastal trestle bridge construction. First, the steel pipe pile supports were driven into the foundation using a pile driver. The driving depth and verticality were monitored in real time to ensure the stability of the supports. Then, the prefabricated main girders were hoisted to the supports by cranes and fixed with bolts. Finally, the deck plates, railings, and anti-skid layers were installed. The installation of the permanent steel trestle bridge (850 meters) was completed in 22 days, and the temporary steel trestle bridge (420 meters) was completed in 10 days, which was 40% faster than the original construction plan. 4. Quality Inspection and Acceptance: After the completion of the installation, the project team and SGS inspectors conducted a comprehensive quality inspection of the steel trestle bridge, including load-bearing performance testing (simulating the passage of 80-ton dump trucks), structural stability testing, and anti-corrosion performance testing. The test results showed that all indicators met the design requirements and international standards. The trestle bridge was officially put into use after passing the acceptance. 3.4 Specific Application Scenarios and Operational Effects of Steel Trestle Bridge Since its commissioning, the steel trestle bridges in the Nouadhibou New Ore Terminal project have played an important role in the construction and operation stages, with the following specific application scenarios and excellent operational effects: 1. Connection between Wharf and Storage Yard: The permanent steel trestle bridge connects the new wharf and the shore ore storage yard, forming a continuous transportation channel. 80-ton ore dump trucks can directly transport iron ore from the storage yard to the wharf loading point through the trestle bridge, with a daily transportation capacity of 8,000 tons. The smooth operation of the trestle bridge ensures the efficiency of ore loading and shipping, laying a foundation for the new terminal to reach its designed annual capacity. 2. Operation Platform for Loading Equipment: The deck of the permanent steel trestle bridge is equipped with railings and fixing devices for gantry cranes. The gantry cranes can move along the trestle bridge to complete the loading of iron ore onto ships. The high load-bearing capacity of the trestle bridge ensures the stable operation of the gantry cranes (weight 150 tons), avoiding equipment failure caused by structural instability. 3. Transportation of Construction Materials: During the construction stage, the temporary steel trestle bridge was responsible for the transportation of construction materials such as steel, cement, and mechanical equipment. It solved the problem of difficult transportation in coastal shoals, ensuring that the main project was completed on schedule. After the completion of the main project, the temporary trestle bridge was disassembled and reused in the expansion project of the existing terminal, realizing resource recycling. 4. Adaptation to Harsh Coastal Environment: After 18 months of operation, the steel trestle bridges have shown excellent corrosion resistance. The anti-corrosion coating on the surface of the components is intact, with no obvious rust or peeling. The steel pipe pile supports have no signs of settlement or deformation, even under the impact of strong tides and sandstorms. The daily maintenance work is simple, only requiring regular cleaning of sand and dust on the deck and inspection of bolt connections, with a monthly maintenance cost of only $2,000, which is much lower than the maintenance cost of concrete structures in the same environment. IV. Key Success Factors and Experience Enlightenment of Steel Trestle Bridge Application in Mauritania 4.1 Key Success Factors The successful application of steel trestle bridges in the Nouadhibou New Ore Terminal project is due to the following key factors: 1. Scientific Design Adapted to Local Conditions: The design of the steel trestle bridge fully considers Mauritania's harsh climatic conditions (high salt spray, strong wind, and sandstorms) and complex terrain (soft coastal foundation), and adopts targeted structural forms and anti-corrosion measures, ensuring the adaptability and durability of the bridge. 2. Strict Quality Control of Components: The prefabrication of steel components was completed in a professional factory, with strict quality control from raw materials to finished products. The third-party inspection by SGS ensured that the quality of the components met international standards, laying a solid foundation for the stable operation of the trestle bridge. 3. Efficient Modular Construction: The modular assembly method greatly shortened the on-site construction cycle, ensuring that the trestle bridge was put into use on time. This not only met the project schedule requirements but also reduced the impact of construction on the local environment and fishery activities. 4. Professional Construction and Maintenance Team: The construction team had rich experience in coastal trestle bridge construction, and the maintenance team was familiar with the characteristics of steel structures and the local environment, ensuring the smooth progress of construction and the long-term stable operation of the trestle bridge. 4.2 Experience Enlightenment for Similar Projects The application experience of steel trestle bridges in the Nouadhibou New Ore Terminal project provides important enlightenment for similar ore terminal projects in harsh environments (deserts, coastal areas, etc.): 1. Prioritize the Selection of Modular Steel Trestle Bridges: For projects with tight schedules, complex terrains, and high load-bearing requirements, modular steel trestle bridges should be prioritized, as they have obvious advantages in construction speed, adaptability, and load-bearing capacity compared to traditional concrete bridges. 2. Strengthen Anti-Corrosion Design and Quality Control: In coastal or high-salt-spray environments, the anti-corrosion design of steel trestle bridges should be strengthened, and professional anti-corrosion processes and high-quality coatings should be adopted. At the same time, strict quality control should be implemented in the anti-corrosion treatment process to ensure the durability of the bridge. 3. Conduct In-Depth Site Investigation: Before the design and construction of the trestle bridge, in-depth site investigation should be conducted to master the local geographical, climatic, and geological conditions, so as to formulate a scientific and reasonable design scheme and construction plan. 4. Cooperate with Professional Manufacturers and Inspection Institutions: Choosing professional modular steel bridge manufacturers ensures the quality of components and the rationality of the design. Cooperating with authoritative third-party inspection institutions (such as SGS) ensures the objectivity and authority of quality inspection, avoiding quality risks. Steel trestle bridges, with their excellent load-bearing capacity, rapid construction speed, strong adaptability, and good durability, have become an ideal choice for ore terminal engineering in harsh environments. The application of steel trestle bridges in the Nouadhibou New Ore Terminal project in Mauritania fully proves their important value in connecting transportation channels, ensuring construction progress, and adapting to harsh coastal environments. Under the background of the continuous development of global mineral resource trade, the demand for ore terminal construction in harsh environments will continue to grow. Steel trestle bridges will play a more important role in future ore terminal engineering with continuous technological innovation and optimization of design and construction schemes. For countries with rich mineral resources and harsh natural environments like Mauritania, the promotion and application of steel trestle bridges will help improve the efficiency of mineral resource transportation, promote the development of the national economy, and accelerate the process of infrastructure construction. At the same time, the successful experience of this project also provides a useful reference for the global application of steel trestle bridges in similar engineering projects, contributing to the sustainable development of the global infrastructure construction industry.

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