_:n6a305b4c12b6451ca60093385f884520xb0
<http://schema.org/description>
"The basic purpose of this program was to demonstrate that advanced composite materials can be applied to the main load carrying elements of an armored vehicle launched assault bridge with a significant saving in weight over metallic structural materials. The study was carried out in three major segments  1. A conceptual design and analysis concentrating on the shear panels 2. A subelement test program to develop basic laminate and joint allowables to aid in design and analysis of critical portions of the bridge also a test of two full scale composite test articles representing the critical joint areas in the selected concept and 3. Design of a three meter lightweight bridge test section applying the results of 1 and 2 above. Basic analysis methods and assumptions regarding boundary conditions and stress concentration factors used in stability and strength analyses were verified by the structural test program. The final design resulted in a composite AVLB test section weighing 125.7 Kilogramsmeter including the upper deck and all fittings. This indicates significant weight savings over a comparable design in aluminum.  Author"
<https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA046949>