Bridge Designing
By: Man Vo
Index of Bridge Types
Beam Bridge
Arch Bridge
Suspension Bridge
Cantilever Bridge
Bibliography
Bridge Type 1
There are four major types of bridges. There is the beam bridge that is by far the simplest. The beam type of bridge is also the most common. A beam bridge is just a beam supported by pillars or columns.
Bridge Type 2
The second major type of bridge is the arch and the weight is carried outward along two curving paths. The points where the arch reaches the ground keep the bridge up by resisting the outward thrust. The roadway is located on top of the arch.
Bridge Type 3
The third are suspension bridges and the cables which are suspended via towers which support them hold up the road deck. The weight is transferred by the cables to the towers, which then in turn transfer the weight to the ground.
Bridge Type 4
The fourth major type of bridge is the cantilever bridge and cantilever bridges depend on counterbalances. Counterbalances are weights used to balance another weight. They consist of two or more, which many cantilever bridges have at least four, arms that equally balance each other, almost like a perfectly balanced see-saw. Often, the part of the bridge that leads to the first cantilever is just a beam bridge.
Bibliography
Engineering Is Cool; Types of Bridges; 2003; http://www.engr.utexas.edu/wep/COOL/AcidRiver/allaboutbridges_Types.htm
EOT; Bridge History; 2003; http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/default.asp?pgid=content/brhist&sid=about
Technology Education, Bridge Building; Summer 1995· Vol. 59· No. 1; http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/summer95/p95su23.htm
NOVA; Super Bridge; 2003; http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bridge/build.html
Bridge Photo Galleries; BridgeSight Inc.; 2005; http://www.cobbk12.org/~shallowfordfalls/front%20page/Student%20Web%20Sites/Target/bridges.htm