The MB4.0 was deployed over the Hongo River in Fukuyama City to demonstrate its viability for practical use. During the test, the bridge was set up without any foundation work, and a vehicle travelled across it.
The MB4.0 can be deployed from its trailer to fully extended in one hour, with extension time of the bridge itself said to take five minutes. The bridge features a scissor-like structure that is connected to the main structural members to form an 'X' shape; this enables expansion and contraction while retaining strength.
"From this test of a new bridge concept, the next generation of bridge technology starts on a new stage in the field of bridge engineering," Dr. Ario said. "I will further promote the development and evolution of MB4.0 in the future. Making MB stronger, longer, lighter, more compact, and quicker to set up will promote the development of infrastructure construction technology in general."
The idea for this bridge comes from academic studies on buckling based on Origami, which has attracted the attention of researchers in space development and other fields.
