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DRDO scientists build a bridge with brains
Prasad Kulkarni | TNN
Pune: Its the first such project in the world, claim scientists of the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Pune. The scientists are developing a lightweight, carbon fibre smart bridge, which will be strong enough to hold a fully loaded battle tank.
We have been working on the project for five years now and it has been successfully completed, said Makarand Joshi, one of the scientists involved. The eight-member team includes scientists Giridhar Singh, Mayur Godbole, Rahul Harshe and technician Felix Barla, as well as other supporting staff.
This is the only structure of its kind anywhere in the world, he proclaimed. The only other bridge that could be compared to this is the one in the US. That bridge is 13 meters long, but has been developed with the help of a private company, he said. The speciality of our bridge is that we have developed it entirely on our own. Our bridge is 5 metres long. We also plan to build a 24-metre bridge in the future.
According to Joshi, part of the bridge is currently at the laboratory, while one part has been sent to the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL), Bangalore, for testing. After testing both parts, the bridge will be joined together in the Pune laboratory. Thereafter, the test of whether the bridge will withstand a fully loaded battle tank will be carried out. This is most likely to take place in July, said Joshi.
The bridge is made of carbon-epoxy materials and is 30% lighter than aluminium. The cost of building the bridge is almost the same as that of an aluminium bridge, but the expenses occurred on maintenance of the carbon composite material bridge will be lower, said Joshi. The bridge weighs just 1.2 tonnes, but should be able to carry the load of a 70-tonne battle tank, he added.
Explaining why it was called a smart bridge, scientist Mayur Godbole said, This bridge can monitor itself. Fibre optic sensors have been embedded in the bridge to achieve this smartness. It can assess the weight/load on it and manage its durability accordingly. The bridge can also be operated by remote. There is no need to depute men at the bridge to monitor it.
I think this will play a important role in the transportation of tanks like Arjun.
DRDO scientists build a bridge with brains
Prasad Kulkarni | TNN
Pune: Its the first such project in the world, claim scientists of the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Pune. The scientists are developing a lightweight, carbon fibre smart bridge, which will be strong enough to hold a fully loaded battle tank.
We have been working on the project for five years now and it has been successfully completed, said Makarand Joshi, one of the scientists involved. The eight-member team includes scientists Giridhar Singh, Mayur Godbole, Rahul Harshe and technician Felix Barla, as well as other supporting staff.
This is the only structure of its kind anywhere in the world, he proclaimed. The only other bridge that could be compared to this is the one in the US. That bridge is 13 meters long, but has been developed with the help of a private company, he said. The speciality of our bridge is that we have developed it entirely on our own. Our bridge is 5 metres long. We also plan to build a 24-metre bridge in the future.
According to Joshi, part of the bridge is currently at the laboratory, while one part has been sent to the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL), Bangalore, for testing. After testing both parts, the bridge will be joined together in the Pune laboratory. Thereafter, the test of whether the bridge will withstand a fully loaded battle tank will be carried out. This is most likely to take place in July, said Joshi.
The bridge is made of carbon-epoxy materials and is 30% lighter than aluminium. The cost of building the bridge is almost the same as that of an aluminium bridge, but the expenses occurred on maintenance of the carbon composite material bridge will be lower, said Joshi. The bridge weighs just 1.2 tonnes, but should be able to carry the load of a 70-tonne battle tank, he added.
Explaining why it was called a smart bridge, scientist Mayur Godbole said, This bridge can monitor itself. Fibre optic sensors have been embedded in the bridge to achieve this smartness. It can assess the weight/load on it and manage its durability accordingly. The bridge can also be operated by remote. There is no need to depute men at the bridge to monitor it.
I think this will play a important role in the transportation of tanks like Arjun.