Bridge

Temporary wooden footbridge leading to the city of Luang Prabang

Seasonal bridge north of Jispa, H.P., India. 2010

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West Montrose Covered Bridge (Oct. 2018)

2007 - South Eighth Street Viaduct

Mohammed VI bridge

King Mindaugas Bridge, Vilnius

Bridge

A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle. There are many different designs that each serve a particular purpose and apply to different situations. Designs of bridges vary depending on the function of the bridge, the nature of the terrain where the bridge is constructed, the material used to make it, and the funds available to build it.

Types of Bridges

Bridges can be categorized into several types based on their design and structure:

• Beam bridge: The simplest type of bridge, consisting of a horizontal beam supported at each end by piers.
• Arch bridge: A bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch.
• Suspension bridge: A bridge in which the deck is hung below suspension cables on vertical suspenders.
• Cable-stayed bridge: A bridge in which the weight of the deck is supported by a number of cables running directly to one or more towers.
• Cantilever bridge: A bridge built using cantilevers, structures that project horizontally into space, supported on only one end.

History

The history of bridges dates back to ancient times. The earliest bridges were made by nature itself—simple logs or planks across streams or stones in rivers. The first man-made bridges were probably spans of cut wooden logs or planks and eventually stones, using a simple support and crossbeam arrangement.

Construction Materials

Bridges are constructed using a variety of materials, each chosen for its specific properties:

• Wood: One of the earliest materials used for bridge construction.
• Stone: Used in ancient bridges, particularly in arch bridges.
• Iron: Became popular in the 19th century with the advent of the Industrial Revolution.
• Steel: Offers high strength and flexibility, widely used in modern bridge construction.
• Concrete: Used in many modern bridges, often reinforced with steel.

Notable Bridges

Some of the most famous bridges around the world include:

• Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, USA.
• Tower Bridge in London, UK.
• Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, USA.
• Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia.
• Millau Viaduct in France.

Related Pages

• Beam bridge
• Arch bridge
• Suspension bridge
• Cable-stayed bridge
• Cantilever bridge
• Golden Gate Bridge
• Tower Bridge
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Millau Viaduct

See Also

• Civil engineering
• Structural engineering
• Infrastructure
• Transportation