Types Of Bridges
A bridge is a structure which is built to link two areas of land over an obstacle such as a valley or a body of water like rivers, lakes and oceans.
The basic idea of a bridge is to reduce the distance between two pieces of lands that are separated by an obstacle. It can be anything, from a piece of log to a highly modified man made structure, its basic purpose is to link two areas.
The concept of bridges is not new. For centuries men have been building these structures above water and valleys. These bridges were simple and made of wood, rock or bricks.
Today the bridges have become much modified structures than before and are of various types differing in their structures and their locations. These bridges links cities are stretched over many thousand feet. Roads are also built in these bridges that allow easy travel for the people.
As said, there are many types of bridges; following are some common types of bridges:
Beam Bridges
A beam bridge is the simplest type of brides. It has a very simple structure and can be made of anything. It can be a simple plank of wood or a complex structure made from shallow steel beams to box girders and concrete.
Basically a beam bridge is a very simple structure which consists of a horizontal beam which can be made of anything and is supported at its ends by piers. Highway overpasses, flyovers or walkways are included in the list of bream bridges.
Truss Bridges
A truss is a structure composed of triangular units that are connected at joints and a truss bridge is a special type of bridge which makes use of this structure.
Basically a truss bridge is composed straight elements connected together with the help of pin joints. These are based on elements joined which are stressed from tension and compression. They may be made of wood and metal. These elements are pulled together by tension.
The principle on which these bridges are made is that a flat bridge is laid at the opening; it is supported on sides by horizontal and diagonal layouts which are added to each side of the bridge.
In the same horizontal and diagonal pattern, a construction is also built above the flat layout to support the bridge from above. This is done so that when weight is applied, all of the parts of the bridge hold together. This allows the bridge to bear and support any weight.
Truss brides are the oldest type of modern bridges and are also very common.
Arch Bridges
Arch bridges are very old and have been built by man for thousands of years. As the name suggests these bridges are arch shaped.
To be precise they have a flat beam at top below which is an arch shaped structure supported at both the ends which bear all the weight. In past they were made of stones or bricks but today are built of steel and concrete.
o define its structure we may say that an arch bridge is a semicircular structure with supports known as the abutments on each end.
Due to the fact that it has a semicircular structure the weight is transferred to the abutments.
Arch bridges are in constant compression the force of which is pushed outward along the curve of the arch toward the abutments.
Suspension Bridges
A suspension bridge is a type of bridge which is suspended from cables above the water paths.
These bridges are one of the oldest types and were initially built of rope and wood.
The suspension bridges of today are expensive complex structures consisting of high tensile cables on which these bridges are hung.
They are usually light, and strong, suspension bridges can span over the distances of 2,000 to 7,000 feet. So they are the longest type of bridges.
The cables on which the suspension bridges are hung are made of steel and are imbedded in the anchorage of either solid rock or huge concrete blocks.
The weight on the bridge is transferred to the cables which are spread over a large area inside their anchorage so that the load is evenly distributed and the cables cannot break free.
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Casting a Bridge Abutment: Part 1
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1906 Print Main Abutment Pier Connecticut Avenue Bridge – Original Halftone Print $37.95 This is an original 1906 halftone print featuring an image of the Connecticut Avenue Bridge also known as the Taft Bridge under construction located in the Northwest quadrant of Washington, D. C. Please note that there is printing on the reverse…. |
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BRIDGE ABUTMENT – N.TYNE – Art Print – Medium – 28x35cm $15.99 This fine art print is created on archival photographic paper from the original negative – resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for museum or gallery display…. |
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BRIDGE ABUTMENT – N.TYNE – Canvas – Medium – 30x45cm $69.00 This fine art print is created on archival canvas from the original negative – resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for museum or gallery display…. |
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Walthers Cornerstone Series Kit HO Scale Bridge Pier $19.99 Simplify installation of the Double-Track Truss Bridge (#933-3012, sold separately) in new or existing scenery with this realistic accessory. The one-piece resin casting matches the height of the Bridge Abutments #933-1040) and Wing Walls (#933-1041) sold separatley. The Pier can be adapted to many other bridge models…. |
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Walthers Cornerstone Series Kit HO Scale Bridge Abutment $14.99 Simplify installation of the Double-Track Truss Bridge (#933-3012, sold separately) in new or existing scenery with this realistic accessory. The one-piece resin casting is nicely detailed and can be adapted to many other bridge models. NOTE: This is a single casting- two abutments (one for each end of the bridge) are needed…. |
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