However, the two cantilever arms are connected by what is known as the “suspended span” which is effectively a centrepiece which has no direct support underneath. When you consider that the horizontal beams making up the cantilever arm are only supported from one side it does begin to sound a little dangerous. They are made from pre-stressed concrete or structural steel when used to accommodate traffic. The bridge works by using cantilevers which may be simple beams or trusses. When the first cantilever bridge was designed it was seen as a major engineering breakthrough. Example of a Truss Bridge: Francis Scott Key Bridge, Baltimore. This mixture of tension and compression ensures the structure of the bridge is maintained and the decking area remains uncompromised even in relatively strong winds. The role of these triangular elements is important because they effectively absorb tension and compression to create a stressed structure able to accommodate dynamic loads. You will notice an array of different variations of the simple truss bridge but they all incorporate triangular sections. The truss bridge has been around for literally centuries and is a load-bearing structure which incorporates a truss in a highly efficient yet very simple design. Example of a Beam Bridge: Iowa River bridge. There is no transfer of stress which you see in arch structures and other types of bridges. This is often referred to as a “simply supported” structure. The area over which people or vehicles travel will be a simple decking positioned vertically across the underlying beams. Very often you will find other beams, positioned in between the main beams, offering additional support and stability. These are supported either side by two beams running between abutments/piers. The deck area traditionally consists of wood plank or stone slabs (often referred to as a clapper bridge). A perfect example being a basic log bridge – something you may see while out on a country walk.

Types of bridges The 7 main types of bridges are:Ī beam bridge is one of the simplest types of bridge.

We will now take a look at the different types of bridges and how they work. Many of the world’s greatest engineers have failed to add any significant improvements to the basic load-bearing designs of years gone by. One interesting factor when looking at different bridge designs is their longevity and the fact they have been around for centuries. There are also designs that transmit tension through bridge cables which allow a degree of flexibility for different terrains. In some cases the deck area will be the load-bearing element while in others it will be the towers. The way in which the vertical/horizontal stresses are managed dictates the structure of different bridges. There are 7 main types of bridges: Arch Bridge, Beam Bridge, Cable-stayed Bridge, Cantilever Bridge, Suspension Bridge, Truss Bridge, Tied Arch Bridge. What is the most common type of the bridge?.What is the most expensive type of bridge to build?.

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