British Army Trials For Wide Wet Gap Crossings

ScaffFloat have been working with the British Army, looking at how their military system MilFloat, could provide capability with their Wide Wet Gap requirement – getting soldiers and kit across wide rivers and bodies of water.

Using all standard scaffolds and floats, ScaffFloat designed a 40m floating bridge that could also be operated as a single ferry or split into three separate ferries. 8m x 4m modules were assembled above the wet gap, then launched by hand and connected afloat, using 750mm above deck to add longitudinal strength.

ScaffFloat provide full designs and their normal stability and buoyancy assessment, as well as a full Cat 3 Check from Richter, assessing the design against Temporary Works regulations and recognised standards, including Eurocodes for structure.

The whole bridge had a total UDL payload of 125 tons and was assessed for a 12t single-point vehicle load mid span.

ScaffFloat are now looking at further developments with a focus on transport and MLC ratings for various package sizes and configurations.

Toby Budd, MD and Founder said ”We had a really successful trial and the capability has been well proven. Once again, the ScaffFloat system is proving its versatility in being a robust platform that can be used across multiple industries and locations.”

He added ”It has been a really interesting problem to look at from an engineering perspective, and I look forward to sharing further developments.”

ScaffFloat already work for the UK MoD in a support capacity, having provided floating access to paint & maintain the Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales aircraft carriers, regular support to RFA ships including Mounts Bay and Argus, water level access for incliation tests on Naval Frigates including Iron Duke, as well as work for the DiO maintaining defence infrastructure like Thankkes Jetty and 3 Basin in Devoport.

Learn more about MillFloat: https://scafffloat.co.uk/milfloat-the-multi-role-floating-system-mfs/

+44 (0)1326 702 260

sales@scafffloat.co.uk

www.scafffloat.co.uk