Abbey Fang August 22nd 2011 Physics -- Blue A truss bridge is a type of suspension bridge made out of connected

elements, stressed from compression, tension or both. Truss bridges are one of the oldest types of modern-era bridges. Truss bridges all over the world are constructed because of their economical use of material.

In the diagram above, the vertical beams are tensioned; whereas lower horizontal beams are tensioned, bending and shear. The top beams and the outer diagonals are in compression, while the inner diagonals are in tension. The central vertical beam prevents the bridge from buckling by stabilizing the upper compression beam. If the top beam is stiff enough then the vertical beam may be eliminated. The way that truss bridges distribute forces in various ways has led to large amounts of truss bridges being constructed. Because wood was previously very abundant, truss bridges were commonly constructed out of wood, with iron rods used to support them. A simple form of truss did not require much labor, skill or resources to build, thus expediting the prevalence of truss bridges. Truss bridges were especially prevalent around the Bowstring truss bridges 1870s-1930s. However, as the timber supply dwindled, and metal began to replace timber, more complicated forms of truss emerged.

(example shown below) experienced a surge in popularity, due to their efficiency and beauty in design.

As truss bridges became more popular, many companies began to make and patent types of truss bridges. In the 1870s, the bowstring truss bridges fell out of popularity due to its lack of durability, and many companies marketed their own particular brand of bridges. During this time, many states developed standardized truss bridges. As materials improved, wrought iron replaced timber, and steel replaced wrought iron, thus leading to resurgence in the bowstring truss bridge design. Other truss bridges used at the time were steel Warren truss bridges (picture included below) and through truss.