What is a bailey bridge, used during Wayanad rescue ops

Sub: Sci

Sec: Msc

Context:

The Indian Army’s Madras Engineer Group last week assembled a Bailey bridge at Chooralmala to reach Mundakkai village, one of the sites worst hit by the landslides in Wayanad.

More on the news?

The 190-foot bridge built by the Indian Army has been crucial in facilitating the movement of men, heavy machinery and ambulances.
It can carry weights up to 24 tonnes, and will remain in use until a permanent bridge is built.

What is Bailey bridge?

A Bailey bridge is a type of portable, pre-fabricated, truss bridge which was developed in 1940–1941 by the British for military use during the Second World War.
A Bailey bridge has the advantages of requiring no special tools or heavy equipment to assemble.
The success of the Bailey bridge was due to the simplicity of the fabrication and assembly of its modular components
The wood and steel bridge elements are small and light enough to be carried in trucks and lifted into place by hand, without the use of a crane.
In disaster relief situations, this is ideal because the parts can be transported in small trucks.
These bridges are strong enough to carry tanks.