It is extremely difficult to protect a bridge from significant damage in the event of a direct hit by powerful ballistic or cruise missiles, however, properly designed pre-detonation screens are an effective means of protecting such structures from drones and small missiles such as the “Banderole,” noted Andriy Ozeychuk, director of the construction company Rauta and chairman of the board of directors of the Ukrainian Center for Steel Construction (UCSB), in comments to the “Interfax-Ukraine” news agency.
“The most effective structure for protecting the roadbed consists of metal cables with a mesh stretched between them,” he remarked, assessing the effectiveness of a number of engineering solutions to protect bridges across the Dnipro River from Russian strikes.
According to him, to protect the piers and the sides of the spans, spacers made of lattice steel structures must be used. This engineering solution can be quickly implemented using available materials. Metal pre-detonation screens provide high strength without placing a heavy load on existing structures, are easily adaptable to the individual geometry of bridges, can be quickly repaired in the event of localized damage, and can be reinforced if necessary.
The expert emphasized that it is important to make effective use of existing bridge structures as a substructure for attaching steel cables and mesh. For example, for the Northern Bridge, this could be the central cable support to protect the roadway, and for the Darnytsia Bridge, the sides of the roadway can be used as a base for the upper attachment of pre-detonation protection for the supports.
The Ukrainian Steel Construction Association (USCA)—a nonprofit organization registered in July 2013—brings together participants in the steel structure supply chain in the form of an association. USCA members include leading manufacturers and distributors of rolled steel, plants producing metal structures, roofing and facade systems, and light-gauge steel structures; industry-specific design, architectural, and scientific organizations; installation and construction companies; and providers of fire protection and anti-corrosion materials for steel structures, as well as software, equipment, and tools.
