FM 5-277

CHAPTER 7
ASSEMBLY OF DOUBLE-STORY BRIDGES
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE BRIDGE 94
THE TRIPLE-DOUBLE BRIDGE 97
LAUNCHING AND JACKING DOWN 98
REINFORCING BRIDGE AND CONVERTING BRIDGE 99

Methods of assembly for double-story bridges
are similar to those used for single-story
bridges. The second-story panels, however,
can be hand carried from trucks or other
platforms. Truck-mounted cranes, 5-ton
wreckers, or gin poles can also be used. It is
FIRST BAY OF BRIDGE
When the nose is completed, proceed with the
first bay of the bridge as follows:
1 Assemble three bays of double-single
bridge as shown in Figure 7-1 (page 96)
and as described in Chapter 6.
2 Begin double-story assembly in the first
bay of bridge with a separate working
party (Figure 7-1). Continue bottom-story
assembly at the same time, using the
procedure for the single-story bridge. The
second story always lags by two bays.
Use an erection platform when placing
second-story panels. Footwalks can be
used as a working platform or panels can
be hand carried from trucks maneuvered
alongside the bridge (Figure 7-2, page 96).
possible to assemble the second story during
bridge assembly or after the bridge has been
entirely launched. It is preferable, however,
to assemble the entire bridge before pushing
it across the gap. The same methods of
launching are used as for single-story
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE BRIDGE
Panels must be loaded on trucks to allow
standing room in the truck for the working
parties. The second story is assembled as
follows:
a Lift panel from truck at side of bridge.
Place flat on top chord of bridge. Slide
panel in toward center of bridge.
b Lift panel upright. Pivot so it is parallel
to existing truss. Position and pin
panel. Insert chord bolts, but do not
tighten them.
c Repeat process with panels on outer
truss.
d Position bracing frames on front and
rear verticals and on top chord.
assembly. For long heavy bridges, it maybe
necessary to use trucks or a bulldozer. The
composition of the launching nose for the
various combinations of spans and truss
types is given in Tables 7-1 and 7-2. The
tables must be followed exactly.
e Tighten chord bolts and bracing frame
bolts.
f When footwalks are not used and trucks
cannot be maneuvered alongside the
bridge, second-story panels can be
placed from a temporary deck inside
the bridge or by the use of gin poles.
REMAINDER OF BRIDGE
The remainder of the bridge is built the same
as the first bay except that bracing frames
are positioned only on the rear verticals and
top chord of the second story (Figure 7-1).
When enough bays of bridge have been built
to counterbalance the nose, move the bridge
forward so the first bay is over the rocking
rollers. Movement will not be necessary again
during assembly unless the overhang at the

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This change supersedes page 95. FM 5-277

tail causes excessive sag. When adding panels

from outside the bridge, place inner panels
first with panel pins inserted from the outside.
Then place outer truss panels with pins in-
serted from the outside. When adding panels
from inside the bridge, place the outer panels
first and insert all pins from the inside.

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THE TRIPLE-DOUBLE BRIDGE
METHOD OF ASSEMBLY
The triple-truss, double-story assembly
(Figure 7-3) is essentially the same as double
truss, double-story assembly. With triple-truss
assembly, however, the outer truss in both
the lower and second story must lag by one
bay to allow insertion of the panel pins in the
middle truss when panels are added from
outside the bridge. When second-story panels
are added from inside the bridge, the inner
and middle trusses must lag by one bay to
allow insertion of the panel pins in the outer
truss.
LAUNCHING NOSE
The composition of the launching nose is the
same as that for the double-double bridge.
For the length and assembly of nose required
for various spans, see Table 7-2.
FIRST BAY OF BRIDGE
When assembly of the nose is completed,
proceed with the first bay of the bridge as
follows:
1 Assemble four bays of single-story bridge
as shown in Figure 7-4 (page 98) and
described in Chapter 6.
2 Add double-story assembly using the same
assembly method as for the double-double
bridge (Figure 7-1).
3 Position bracing frames on the front and
rear verticals and on the top chord of the
first bay of bridge before the chord bolts
are tightened.

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FM 5-277 This change supersedes page 98.

REMAINDER OF BRIDGE
Assemble the remainder of the bridge the
same as the first bay, but position bracing
frames only on the rear verticals and top
chords of the second story. Connect outer
truss to middle truss with tie plates bolted to
the top raker holes in the forward panel
uprights of both stories. See Chapter 4 for
ramp construction and Chapter 9 for traffic
control.

LAUNCHING AND JACKING DOWN

LAUNCHING
Launching of double-story bridges normally
begins after the assembly of the entire bridge.
Use the same launching methods and pre-
cautions as for launching single-story
bridges. When launching with bulldozers or
trucks, take the following precautions:
Do not apply power directly to the end of a
panel except at the junction of the di-
agonals. Apply it against the end posts,
or a transom at the junction of the diag-
onals (Figure 7-5). When applying power
against a transom, make sure it is distri-
buted across the length of the transom.
Roller heights must be fixed so that the
tail of the bridge is at least 6 inches (15.2
centimeters) off the ground during the
entire launching.
Rig a line to control lateral movement of
the bridge.
If the bridge requires two trucks or bull-
dozers to move it, use one against the end
post of each girder.
When using a bulldozer, bolt ribbands at
the tail of the bridge so they extend
beyond the end of the bridge. Place a

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REINFORCING BRIDGE AND CONVERTING BRIDGE
METHOD
The class of existing single-story bridges can
be increased by adding extra stories. For all
assemblies over class 70, the decking system
must be reinforced by increasing the number
of transoms per bay from two to four, and by
adding a 3-inch (7.6 centimeters) longitudinal
wear tread.
3 Insert chord bolts and panel pins. Where
CONVERTING DOUBLE-SINGLE
TO DOUBLE-DOUBLE
To convert an existing double-single bridge
to a double-double bridge, proceed as follows:
1 Remove bracing frames.
2 Carry first panel to midpoint of bridge
and place on top chord of existing bridge.
Use the same jacking methods and precau-
tions used for single-story bridges (Chapter
6).
Erect outer truss first (Figure 7-6, page
100). Before raising panels, insert
wrenches in the top chord of the existing
bridge to prevent the panel from skidding
out. The inner truss assembly should
follow closely behind the outer truss in
order to speed construction.
necessary, use chord jacks (Figure 7-7,
page 100) to overcome sag when inserting
panel pins. Tightening chord bolts also
helps reduce difficulty caused by sag.
Chord jacks are not required when adding
a second story to double-truss spans 120
feet (36.6 meters) or less in length if the
following method is used simultaneously
on both sides of the bridge:
FM 5-277
transom on its side on the ribbands so the
transom rests against the end vertical at
the junction of the diagonals. Face tran-
som lugs toward the nose of the bridge.
Control lateral movement of the bridge by
fastening winch lines from two trucks to
male panel holes for positive control.
Launch the bridge with the bulldozer
blade pushing against the transom
(Figure 7-5).
JACKING DOWN
a Place first panel of second story at
center of bridge and insert chord bolts.
Do not tighten bolts.
b Place a panel at each end of the center
panel of the second story. Insert chord
bolts and upper panel pins.
c Tighten all chord bolts to reduce sag.
Drive lower panel pins with a sledge
hammer.
d After the first three panels are in place,
add other panels, one at a time, working
toward both ends of the bridge.
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e As each panel is placed, insert chord

bolts. Do not tighten until the upper
panel pin has been inserted.
f It maybe necessary to drive upper and
lower panel pins simultaneously,
starting at the ends of the bridge.
Tighten chord bolts to reduce sag.
g Place bracing frames vertically on the
same end of successive panels and
horizontally along the top chord of the
second story.
See Figure 7-8 for partially completed bridge.

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