BRIDGES

A bridge is a physical structure constructed to provide passage over a physical support such
as a lake, valley, road, rail that spans the obstacle without blocking the way underneath.
Various bridge designs each having its own purpose and applicable to different situations are
available.
The designs vary according to:
1. Function of the bridge.
2. Nature of terrain where the bridge is anchored/ constructed.
3. Materials used.
4. Cost of construction.
Types of bridges.
1. Beam bridge
2. Truss bridge
3. Arch bridge
4. Tied-Arch bridge
5. Cantilever bridge
6. Cable stayed bridge
7. Suspension bridge
1. Beam bridge.
This is the simplest structural form of bridge spans.
It is supported by a piers/an abutment at each end.
No moments are transferred throughout the support hence the structural type is simply
supported.

2. Truss bridge.
In this bridge type, the load bearing structure is composed of a truss.
A truss is a structure of connected elements usually forming a triangle.
The elements in the bridge truss maybe subjected to tension, compression forces or both
depending on the loading.
The truss bridge is cheap to construct as material is efficiently utilized.

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3. Arch bridge.
This is a bridge with abutments at each end and is shaped like an arch.
It works by transferring the weight of the bridge and the loadings partially into a horizontal
thrust restrained by an abutment at each end.

4. Tied Arch bridge.

This is an arch bridge whereby the outward horizontal forces of the arches caused by the
tension at the end of the arch to the foundation are countered by equal tension of the arch and
the elements the total deck structure supports.
It consists of strengthened chords that run to the strong part of the deck structure.

5. Cantilever bridge.
This is a bridge built from cantilevers.
Cantilevers are structures that project horizontally into space that are supported only at one
end.
For small foot bridges the cantilevers may be beams.

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Large bridges for rail and road traffic use trusses built from structural steel, box girders or
prestressed concrete.

6. Cable stayed bridges.

These bridges have one or more towers/ pylons where cables that support the bridge deck are
fixed.
A distinctive feature on this bridges are the cables/ stays which run directly from the tower to
the deck.
They are used for distances where suspension bridges would be too short or cantilever
bridges would be too heavy.

7. Suspension bridges.
This is a type of bridge whereby the deck is hung below the suspension cables on vertical
suspenders.
The suspension cables are anchored/ fixed at one end of the bridge.
The main cables continue beyond the pillars/ supports on to the deck level supports up to the
anchors on the ground.

REFERENCES

AKOL ABRAHAM BWIE 21/U/04264/PS 210070426

  Wikipedia.com
 Encyclopedia Britannica
 www.theengineeringcommunity.com

AKOL ABRAHAM BWIE 21/U/04264/PS 210070426