Movable Bridges
Each movable bridge has specialized features and unique mechanisms for movement. The most common movable bridges and their displacements types are:
- Bascule Bridge (Trunnion)
- Rolling Lift Bascule Bridge (Rolling Lift)
- Swing Bridge
- Retractile Bridge
- Vertical Lift Bridge
A movable bridge, or moveable bridge, sometimes known as a drawbridge, is a bridge located on a navigable waterway that can temporarily move one or two spans to increase vertical clearance for vessels or traffic to pass underneath. Movable bridges help lower infrastructure costs by limiting high piers and long approaches. However, they have the principal disadvantage of traffic on the bridge is stopped when it is open for traffic passage underneath. Movable bridges may be located in marine environments, snow and ice zones, and carry heavy traffic loads.
Forged Parts For Movable Bridges
- Shafts: Pinions, trunnions, floating shafts, crankshafts, tower sheave shafts, rope shafts, gudgeon pin, strut pin, link pin, diagonal fin
- Flats: Curved or flat racks, tracks and treads, lock bars (we can transition between round and rectangular cross-sections), receiving sockets, receiving shoes, guide housings
- Rings: Ring gear, hex sleeves and hex jam nuts, gudgeon collars
- Hubs: Sheave hub, trunnion hub, winch hub, pintles
- Torch Cut: Clevis, gudgeon links
Organizations like the Army Corps of Engineers work to mitigate section loss in the bridge's structural components. Natural deterioration such as corrosion can lead to misalignment, bending or deformation in lock switches, open gears and the electrical systems found on movable bridges. Additionally, heavy loads and thermal expansion effects can lead to malfunctions in the operation of the bridge.
Extensive Inventory and Forging Expertise
At Scot Forge, our extensive material inventory, production capabilities and experienced technical support combine to help meet your most demanding requirements. Our technically trained account managers possess experience working to ASTM A668, ASTM A291 and other various AREMA, AASHTO and DOT requirements. We understand the importance of short lead times and breakdown services, too.