Types of Bridges - Section 2.1, 2.2

Types of bridges

• Beam Bridge
• This is the most common bridge
• It is a flat bridge that is supported at each of its ends
• A longer beam bridge may be supported by additional supports
• Truss Bridge
• This bridge is light but strong
• It has triangle shaped frames called trusses, on either side
• Suspension Bridge
• Suspension bridges, like beam bridges, have supports on each of their ends
• They have tall towers on either side
• The main cables (lines) are anchored at each end of the bridge
• The smaller cables are attached to the main cables vertically on one end and the other is connected to the roadway. They support the roadway.
• Arch bridge
• These were made to hold heavy loads
• The dynamic load of people and other traffic causes each piece of wood or stone in the arch to push against the piece next to it
• This push is eventually transferred to the end supports that are embedded in the ground
• The ground pushes back and the resistance is passed back through all the pieces creating an arch