Contents
| Type | Sub-type | Length range |
| Longest span | Longest total | |
| Arch bridge | 575 m (Ping'nan Third Bridge) | |
| Through arch bridge | ||
| Beam bridge |
What are the four major types of bridges?
Types of Bridges Bridges are classified into so many types based on different criteria’s. They are explained below. Types of Bridges based on Type of Super Structure. Arch bridge; Girder bridge; Truss bridge; Suspension bridge; Arch Bridge
What is the most cheapest type of bridge?
What are the 5 main bridge types?
- Beam Bridge. A beam bridge is known for being the simplest and most cost-effective bridge to build. …
- Cantilever Bridges. …
- Suspension Bridges. …
- Arch Bridge. …
- Short-Span Bridge. …
- Beam Bridge. …
- Cantilever Bridges. …
- Suspension Bridges.
What is the safest type of bridge?
What is the safest type of bridge? As in most engineering projects, bridges need to be the safest they can be while still being cost effective. This is why bridge design is of the utmost importance. Truss bridges are extremely effective because they have a high strength to weight ratio.
What is the best bridge structure?
- A plate girder is made from separate structural steel plates instead of a single cross section. ...
- A box (or tubular) girder is an enclosed tube with multiple walls usually made from rolled or welded steel, aluminum extrusions, or prestressed concrete. ...
- A fixed arch is most commonly used on shorter, concrete bridges. ...
What are the 5 main bridge types?
There are five types of bridges, and these are, Girder, arch, cable, rigid framed and truss. Each has its unique features and uses. This is a bridge in its simplest and most common form. A log across a stream is an example of this structure.
What are the 3 bridge types?
Three basic types of bridges used in transportation are: beam and truss bridges, arch bridges and suspension bridges. To understand how bridges work, we must understand the forces that act on every bridge.
What are the 8 different types of bridges?
Correct engineering and bridge construction can strike the perfect balance to keep a bridge standing.ARCH BRIDGE. ... BEAM BRIDGE. ... CANTILEVER BRIDGE. ... SUSPENSION BRIDGE. ... CABLE-STAYED BRIDGE. ... TIED-ARCH BRIDGE (BOWSTRING) ... TRUSS BRIDGE.
What are the 6 different bridge forms?
There are six basic modern bridge forms: the beam, the truss, the arch, the cantilever, the cable-stayed, and the suspension.
What is the most common type of bridge?
beam bridge Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. The beam bridge is the most common bridge form. A beam carries vertical loads by bending.
What is the strongest bridge?
Even though the truss bridge design has been around for literally centuries it is widely regarded as the strongest type of bridge.
What are 7 different methods for constructing bridges?
Precast bridge construction method. ... Cast in-situ bridge construction method. ... Balanced cantilever bridge construction method. ... Incremental Launching bridge construction method. ... Cable-stayed bridge construction method. ... Arch bridge construction method. ... Advanced shoring bridge construction method.
What's a small bridge called?
Minor Bridge: The bridge has a total span length greater than 6m & less than 60m is known as minor bridge.
What type of bridge is the best?
This is why bridge design is of the utmost importance. Truss bridges are extremely effective because they have a high strength to weight ratio. In this experiment we have tested which type of truss bridge is the strongest, yet uses the least amount of material.
What are the three most common bridge designs?
A Note On Bridge Forms At the most simple level of engineering design, bridges come in three basic forms: beam, arch, and suspension. From these three basic forms of bridge arise many different bridge types as described below.
What is a 3 span bridge?
The bridge is a three-span steel composite I-girder bridge with a total length of 206.5m. The main span is 73.5m long and the side spans are 66.5m long. This bridge is supported by abutments at both ends and two large piers with 8 piles each between spans.
What are metal bridges called?
Girder bridgeTwo different girder bridges. The top is a plate girder bridge, while the bottom is a concrete girder bridge.AncestorBeam bridgeCarriesPedestrians, automobiles, trucks, light rail, heavy railSpan rangeShort, MediumMaterialIron, wood, concrete5 more rows
What are the three most common bridge designs?
A Note On Bridge Forms At the most simple level of engineering design, bridges come in three basic forms: beam, arch, and suspension. From these three basic forms of bridge arise many different bridge types as described below.
What is a 3 span bridge?
The bridge is a three-span steel composite I-girder bridge with a total length of 206.5m. The main span is 73.5m long and the side spans are 66.5m long. This bridge is supported by abutments at both ends and two large piers with 8 piles each between spans.
What type of bridge is the best?
This is why bridge design is of the utmost importance. Truss bridges are extremely effective because they have a high strength to weight ratio. In this experiment we have tested which type of truss bridge is the strongest, yet uses the least amount of material.
Why are there different types of bridges?
To be able to serve various roles, carry different types of weight, and span terrains of various sizes and complexities, bridges can strongly vary in their appearance, carrying capacity, type of structural elements, the presence of movable sections, construction materials and more.
What are the different types of bridges?
So if you love bridges as much as we do, then let us describe the 6 different types of bridges: 1 Girder (Beam) 2 Truss 3 Arch 4 Cantilever 5 Suspension 6 Cable Stayed
How does the size of a bridge affect the cost?
However, the size of the girders is a major factor in the cost of the bridge. As you might imagine, the longer the span is, the larger the girders need to be, and hence the bigger the cost per square foot of bridge. Vehicular bridges require significantly smaller girders than pedestrian bridges.
Why are cantilevers called trusses?
Cantilever bridges are usually large trusses because the cantilever requires strong support to project out across the river or road. Often there is a middle span supported by the cantilevers, thereby requiring an even stronger cantilever.
What is a girder on a bridge?
Girder (Beam) Most highway and city bridges are built with girders (beams) spanning the opening and traffic crossing on a bridge deck. The deck is a flat, horizontal element that transfers the traffic load into long, linear elements underneath called girders.
What are trusses made of?
Trusses are generally made out of steel. Although wooden trusses can be built, the relative weakness of the connections would limit the bridge spans. Composite materials like fibreglass can be used as well, but they have generally been limited to pedestrian bridges.
What is the most efficient beam size?
The most efficient beam size is one that is very narrow and tall, but this is not always practical when the beam is underneath the traffic. Thus, a truss allows this efficient section to be moved to the edges where it can maximize its efficiency. Trusses are generally made out of steel.
How many cantilevers does the Quebec Bridge have?
The Quebec Bridge supports a middle span from two “cantilevers.”
What are movable bridges?
The category of movable bridges includes lifting and swinging bridges. These allow a portion of the structure to move out of the way and allow passage of tall ships in a waterway. Here are some examples: 1 A vertical lift bridge is a kind of truss bridge that’s raised using cables affixed to the deck. These allow it to be raised via pulleys attached to the top of a tower or pylon on either side of the waterway. The deck remains horizontal as it’s raised, and its maximum height is dictated by the height of the towers. 2 The deck on a bascule bridge, or drawbridge, by contrast, is lifted from the base, like a door swinging upward, often by hydraulics. 3 Swing bridges also allow watercraft to pass, but using a different method: They rotate horizontally, or swing like an opening door, on a pedestal. They’re not as common, but they are used occasionally in places too wide for a lift bridge. 4 Traverser bridges use cantilevers that can be rolled out over a channel on wheels or withdrawn, giving the effect of a platform moving horizontally.
What type of bridge is the cheapest to build?
The simplicity of the beam bridge made it the first type of bridge ever built. It’s still the cheapest to build. All you need is a crossbeam covering the span, supported by an abutment at each end. One type of beam bridge is a girder bridge, which employs steel girders as reinforcement.
What is cantilever bridge?
This type uses a pillar anchored vertically into the ground to support a horizontal deck extending out from one or both sides across the span. The load often is supported from both above and below. A diving board or platform is a good example of cantilever construction.
How do fixed arch bridges work?
Fixed arch bridges can be destabilized by temperature fluctuations, so the arch design is sometimes modified with hinges at each base and even the center of the span. This helps longer arch bridges adapt to the expansion or contraction of their materials when temperatures change drastically. 2. BEAM BRIDGE.
What is the danger of beam bridges?
But here’s the danger of beam bridges: The longer a bridge is and the more people, cars, and other things it carries, the heavier its total load. And the farther apart a beam bridge’s abutments are, the less stable the structure is.
How do bridges work?
Bridges work by balancing the forces of physics through a superstructure (girders, trusses, etc.), which bears the bridge deck and its load, and a substructure ( pillars, abutments, piers, and footings ), which grounds the load into the earth.
Why are pontoon bridges bad?
One drawback of pontoon bridges is that, because they rest directly on the water’s surface, they obstruct any watercraft trying to navigate the channel they cross.
What are the materials used to build an arch bridge?
They are more resilient and can bear a lot of pressure. These types of bridges are usually built with so many kinds of materials such as stones, concrete, and steel.
What is the bearing on a bridge called?
These forces channel all the weight on the bridge onto the side-supports of the bridge, popularly known as abutments , and the supports in the middle, known as the piers. Another component of a bridge is the bearing. This component usually offers a resting surface in-between the deck of the bridge and its pier.
What are the pros and cons of a truss bridge?
Pros of Truss Bridges. The truss bridge possesses several advantages, and they include: They are usually built in the industrial unit and then framed on the bridge site. The supports are relatively less when one compares them to the ones on beam bridges. The truss bridges are typically very strong and very rigid.
Why are beam bridges stronger?
Beam bridges have a top edge that is stronger because loads are usually applied in the underside of the beam that is stretched and always under tension. Beam bridges are also sometimes called stringer bridges or girders bridges.
Why are fixed arch bridges unstable?
Fixed arch bridges could be made unstable by fluctuations in temperature. The arch design could be altered a little by adding hinges at the bases and also at the span’s center. This aids the arch to last longer.
How do bridges work?
Bridges work by balancing two major types of forces known as tension and compression. A tension force is a pulling force that acts outward, while a compression force is a pushing force that acts inward.
What is a beam bridge?
The beam bridge consist s of some vertical piers and horizontal beams. This kind of bridge is usually spanned with either two or even more spans that are also held firmly by abutment or piers at every end. Beam bridges are usually constructed using steel, wood, or RCC. Beam bridges also have a span of about 80 meters.
What are the different types of beam bridges?
Types of beam bridges are girder bridge, box girder bridge, plate girder bridge etc. 2. Arch Bridge: As the name suggests, the arch bridge consists of a curve-shaped abutment at each end. Generally, the roadway of the bridge lies on the arch structure.
What is a beam bridge?
1. Beam Bridge: Beam bridges are the simplest bridge type normally consists of one or more spans, supported by abutment or pier at each end. Beam bridges are usually constructed of RCC or steel or a combination of both RCC and Steel.
How are cantilever bridges made?
The cantilever bridge is constructed using a cantilever span, i .e the span is supported at one end and the other end is opened. Usually, two cantilever parts are joined to make the roadway.
How are trusses used in bridges?
Truss is used because it is a very rigid structure and it can transfer the load from a single point to a much wider area.
How long is an arch bridge?
The abutments then push back on the arch and prevent the arch ends from spreading apart. The span of arch bridges is normally up to 800 feet and made of stone, steel, or concrete. 1. Hinge-less arch bridge.
What is cable stayed bridge?
Cable-stayed Bridge: Cable-stayed bridges are similar to suspension bridges as they also use cables but in a different form. They consist of fewer cables and the height of the towers is much greater than the suspension bridge. 6.
What are the different types of bridges?
Below is the list of 5 main types of bridges based on support mechanism: 1. Girder bridges: It is the most common and most basic bridge type. In its simplest form, a log across a creek is an example of a girder bridge; the two most common girders are I-beam girders and box-girders used in steel girder bridges.
What are the four types of arch bridges?
Like the truss, the roadway may pass over or through an arch or in some cases. Structurally there are four basic arch type bridges: Hinge-less. Two-hinged.
What type of bridge is the oldest?
2. Arch bridges: Arch bridges are the types of bridges which pose a classic architecture and the oldest after the girder bridges. Unlike simple girder bridges, arches are well suited to the use of stone. Since the arch doesn’t require piers in the center so arches are good choices for crossing valleys and rivers.
What is cable stayed bridge?
A typical cable stayed bridge is a continuous girder with one or more towers erected above piers in the middle of the span. From these towers, cables stretch down diagonally (usually to both sides) and support the girder.
Why are arches good for crossing rivers?
Since the arch doesn’t require piers in the center so arches are good choices for crossing valleys and rivers. Arches can be one of the most beautiful bridge types. Arches use a curved structure which provides a high resistance to bending forces.
What is a truss bridge?
Truss bridges: Of all the types of bridges, truss bridges are most common, usually in steel bridges . Trusses are comprised of many small beams that together can support a large amount of weight and span great distances. In most cases the design, fabrication, and erection of trusses is relatively simple.
What is rigid frame bridge?
Rigid frame bridges are sometimes also known as Rahmen bridges. In a standard girder bridge type, the girder and the piers are separate structures. However, a rigid frame bridge is one in which the piers and girder are one solid structure.
What is the science behind bridges?
All the design and science of bridge matters to how it handles things. The basic science behind the bridge construction is fairly straight-forward. The fact is that the structure of the bridge will dictate how the bridge will handle tension, compression, torsion, sheering, and bending.
Why are bridges built?
Every bridge has at least one function. Many though have been built to facilitate multiple usage options . Some of them have been built to allow cars, people and bikes, and even rail to pass over the same spot. High-tech engineering has been used to build these bridges. They are designed to serve a purpose in an area of the country that sees a lot of the same kind of traffic.
How are pipeline bridges built?
But where there is no bridge a pipeline bridge can be easily built. These bridges are constructed for the largest of all pipes. They can be built easily by pylons and then running the pipes on top of the pylons. In some cases, the pipes themselves become the bridge. This is done when the distance to cover is relatively short. This is usually seen when a roadway must pass over the pipeline. It is easier to bend the pipe than it is to build a bridge over the pipes.
What is the importance of bridges?
Every type of bridge is an amazing feat of engineering. The ability to construct a pathway that has the ability to hold up to various obstacles is spectacular. Bridges must be able to handle a wide range of weighted loads, extend for miles and move with the elements. Every piece of bridge design is important.
How long is the Manchac Swamp Bridge?
Most of the time there are multiple lanes that travel side by side allowing cars to pass and speed along at fast paces. The longest of this type of bridge is the Manchac Swamp Bridge that makes it way through Louisiana. It has a length of 22.8 miles which makes it the longest in the world over water. The bridge is constructed in sections that allow for easy repair as sections of it wear out over time. The pylons of the bridge were driven down to a depth of 250 feet to help stabilize the bridge.
What is the most famous arch bridge?
Classic Arch Bridges. The arch bridge is one of the oldest designs of bridges around. One of the most famous arch construction is the Caesarea Aqueduct. This construction clearly uses the arch design for support. Its main function was to transport water across a large section of land.
How was the aqueduct bridge used?
The aqueduct bridge has been used for centuries to transport water to cities and other places. The arch type is the most common form of ancient days. But today’s construction allows people to be a little more creative with the design. But the more simple design using the arch structure, and they are usually made of stone. The bridge would be built along ridgelines and would twist and turn through the area until it made its way to the city. Most of the ones built today are done with pipes and pylons.
Different Types of Bridges Explained
Not every bridge was designed and constructed equal. After all, not every bridge was made to hold the weight of multiple vehicles, nor does it need to, depending on where this bridge is located.
Arch Bridge
If you live in a rural area, then the likelihood of you coming across, and crossing, an arch bridge is quite high. It’s actually one of the oldest bridge designs there is, with some of the earliest arch bridges dating back more than 3,000 years, if you can believe that!
Truss Bridge
Next up is the truss bridge, one of the different types of bridges that were once made completely out of wood before other materials were later implemented.
Beam Bridge
One of the cheapest bridges to build, and one of the most common too. We’re of course referring to beam bridges. Its design is a lot easier to understand than others due to the fact that it consists of a crossbeam, and an abutment at either end.
Cable-Stayed Bridge
A cable-stayed bridge is one of those self-explanatory types in that it consists of multiple vertical suspenders that attach to one, or multiple towers. The cables act as additional support to these towers, using tension to hold it all in place.
Tied-Arch Bridge
Tied-arch bridges or bowstring bridges, call it whatever you like. Like beam bridges, tied-arch bridges are very common, more so in parts of Europe. It gets the bowstring name from its overall shape, which does have that very grand sort of style to it.
Suspension Bridge
Easily the most recognisable bridge type there is (other than a beam bridge), period. Suspension bridges are those larger than life constructs that combine suspension cables with large pylons and suspenders. All of this keeps this type of bridge upright, and free from any issues relating to the weather.
7 Different Types of Bridges
Types of Bridges by Mobility
- FIXED BRIDGES
Fixed bridges are pretty simple: They’re anchored in place and meant to provide a steady, secure passage across a river, canyon, rail line, roadway, or other obstacles. Many of the bridge styles described above are in this category. I-beam girders can provide stability in beam bridges, such … - TEMPORARY BRIDGES
Pontoon bridgesare most commonly used in wartime to transport troops, supplies, and military vehicles. These are generally temporary structures that float directly on the water atop pontoons — containers filled with air to provide buoyancy. They’re a successor to the ancient practice of li…
Common Types of Bridges by Function
- AQUEDUCT/VIADUCT BRIDGE
An aqueduct is a “water bridge” in Latin. The Romans used arched aqueducts to carry water from one place to another. A viaductis a roadway elevated by a series of arches over an extended distance. - CULVERT
Culvertsaren’t technically bridges, but they’re similar. Simple structures usually surrounded by soil or other fill, these allow water to flow underneath rather than across a road, trail, or rail line. They’re often made of concrete, but some are simple corrugated pipes.
Types of Bridge Materials
- Around the world, bridges are made of almost any material at hand, including ropes, vines, even trash. The following materials are the most common used in bridge building: 1. Wood— A popular material for trusses and trestles in the 1800s, wood was also used for covered bridges. Its use gave way to more durable options that weren’t susceptible to warping, splintering, and termites. …
Forces That Influence Different Bridge Designs
- What determines the type of bridge that gets built in a particular place? Bridge designs are based on more than aesthetics. In addition to the topographical and logistical conditions where a bridge will be built, there are also natural forcesto consider. Some of the forces of nature that act upon bridges are: 1. Gravity— The downward pull is a bigger deal with bridges than buildings. Unlike a …
Conclusion
- Bridges, like buildings, serve us practically and aesthetically. They’re not just ways to get from one place to another; they also serve as landmarks. More than that, they’ve also become geographical and architectural symbols that help define us as humans, culturally and historically. So the next time you approach a bridge, take a closer look. There are few places you’ll see art and science m…