Bailey Bridge Engineering and Operations Exam Questions and
Answers |Fall 2026/2027 Update | 100% Correct Latest
QUESTION 1
The Bailey Bridge was originally designed to serve what primary purpose?
A. Permanent civilian crossings
B. Rapidly deployable military bridging during wartime
C. Decorative architectural structures
D. Heavy rail transport applications
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The Bailey Bridge was developed in World War II to provide mobile armed forces
with a quickly assembled and strong temporary bridge.
QUESTION 2
Who was responsible for the invention of the Bailey Bridge?
A. Gustave Eiffel
B. Donald Bailey
C. John Roebling
D. Isambard Kingdom Brunel
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Sir Donald Bailey, a British civil engineer, created the modular design that
transformed military mobility during the 1940s.
QUESTION 3
The main structural element of a Bailey Bridge is known as the:
A. Deck panel
B. Transom
C. Truss panel
D. Chord beam
,CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Prefabricated truss panels pin-connected together form the longitudinal
load-bearing members.
QUESTION 4
Each standard Bailey panel measures approximately:
A. 10 ft × 5 ft
B. 10 ft × 8 ft
C. 10 ft × 10 ft
D. 12 ft × 10 ft
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Classic panels are 10 ft long and 5 ft high, allowing standardized modular assembly.
QUESTION 5
The modular nature of the Bailey Bridge allows which primary advantage?
A. Permanent foundation requirement
B. Rapid assembly by unskilled labor
C. Complex machining of connections
D. One-time use only
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Ease of handling and uniform panel size allow military crews to construct spans
without heavy equipment.
QUESTION 6
What device connects adjacent Bailey panels together?
A. Bolted flange
B. Panel pin
C. Rivet joint
D. Clamp plate
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Each panel is joined by a steel pin inserted through corresponding lugs, enabling
quick alignment and secure connection.
,QUESTION 7
The transoms in a Bailey Bridge primarily serve to:
A. Carry decking loads across the trusses
B. Connect end posts
C. Act as handrails
D. Anchor bridge bearings
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Transoms span between trusses, supporting stringers and deck, thereby transferring
wheel loads.
QUESTION 8
Which of the following configurations offers increased load-carrying capacity?
A. Single-single
B. Double-single
C. Triple-single
D. Double-double
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Adding both multiple truss lines and stories (“double-double”) strengthens the
bridge but increases weight.
QUESTION 9
The bearing plates of a Bailey Bridge provide:
A. Grip for vehicles
B. Uniform load transmission to supports
C. Connection for decking bolts
D. Decorative finishing
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Bearings distribute compressed load evenly onto abutments or rollers, preventing
local failure.
, QUESTION 10
The maximum economical span length for a standard Bailey configuration is approximately:
A. 30 m
B. 60 m
C. 120 m
D. 10 m
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Standard field units can achieve about 60 m without intermediate supports; longer
spans require strengthening modifications.
QUESTION 11
Which material primarily composes original Bailey components?
A. Aluminum
B. Cast iron
C. High-tensile steel
D. Reinforced concrete
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: High-tensile steel offers strength-to-weight efficiency for portable applications.
QUESTION 12
In launching a Bailey Bridge, the cantilever portion initially constructed off-bank is called the:
A. Nose
B. Tail
C. Anchor boom
D. Ramp section
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: The launching nose reduces bending moments during rollout and guides the bridge
onto the far bank.
QUESTION 13
Answers |Fall 2026/2027 Update | 100% Correct Latest
QUESTION 1
The Bailey Bridge was originally designed to serve what primary purpose?
A. Permanent civilian crossings
B. Rapidly deployable military bridging during wartime
C. Decorative architectural structures
D. Heavy rail transport applications
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The Bailey Bridge was developed in World War II to provide mobile armed forces
with a quickly assembled and strong temporary bridge.
QUESTION 2
Who was responsible for the invention of the Bailey Bridge?
A. Gustave Eiffel
B. Donald Bailey
C. John Roebling
D. Isambard Kingdom Brunel
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Sir Donald Bailey, a British civil engineer, created the modular design that
transformed military mobility during the 1940s.
QUESTION 3
The main structural element of a Bailey Bridge is known as the:
A. Deck panel
B. Transom
C. Truss panel
D. Chord beam
,CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Prefabricated truss panels pin-connected together form the longitudinal
load-bearing members.
QUESTION 4
Each standard Bailey panel measures approximately:
A. 10 ft × 5 ft
B. 10 ft × 8 ft
C. 10 ft × 10 ft
D. 12 ft × 10 ft
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Classic panels are 10 ft long and 5 ft high, allowing standardized modular assembly.
QUESTION 5
The modular nature of the Bailey Bridge allows which primary advantage?
A. Permanent foundation requirement
B. Rapid assembly by unskilled labor
C. Complex machining of connections
D. One-time use only
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Ease of handling and uniform panel size allow military crews to construct spans
without heavy equipment.
QUESTION 6
What device connects adjacent Bailey panels together?
A. Bolted flange
B. Panel pin
C. Rivet joint
D. Clamp plate
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Each panel is joined by a steel pin inserted through corresponding lugs, enabling
quick alignment and secure connection.
,QUESTION 7
The transoms in a Bailey Bridge primarily serve to:
A. Carry decking loads across the trusses
B. Connect end posts
C. Act as handrails
D. Anchor bridge bearings
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Transoms span between trusses, supporting stringers and deck, thereby transferring
wheel loads.
QUESTION 8
Which of the following configurations offers increased load-carrying capacity?
A. Single-single
B. Double-single
C. Triple-single
D. Double-double
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Adding both multiple truss lines and stories (“double-double”) strengthens the
bridge but increases weight.
QUESTION 9
The bearing plates of a Bailey Bridge provide:
A. Grip for vehicles
B. Uniform load transmission to supports
C. Connection for decking bolts
D. Decorative finishing
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Bearings distribute compressed load evenly onto abutments or rollers, preventing
local failure.
, QUESTION 10
The maximum economical span length for a standard Bailey configuration is approximately:
A. 30 m
B. 60 m
C. 120 m
D. 10 m
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Standard field units can achieve about 60 m without intermediate supports; longer
spans require strengthening modifications.
QUESTION 11
Which material primarily composes original Bailey components?
A. Aluminum
B. Cast iron
C. High-tensile steel
D. Reinforced concrete
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: High-tensile steel offers strength-to-weight efficiency for portable applications.
QUESTION 12
In launching a Bailey Bridge, the cantilever portion initially constructed off-bank is called the:
A. Nose
B. Tail
C. Anchor boom
D. Ramp section
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: The launching nose reduces bending moments during rollout and guides the bridge
onto the far bank.
QUESTION 13
