TYPES OF BRIDGES

BEAM BRIDGES

• Strongest and simplest type of bridge
• Stiff
• Resists bending and twisting under loads
• Supported by horizontal beams at each beam at each need by piers

ARCH BRIDGES

• Supporting elements
• One of the oldest types of bridges
• Made of concrete and steel
• Has Great strength

TRUSS BRIDGES

• Connected by triangular units
• One of the oldest types of modern bridges
• Usually not very long in length
• Made of timber, iron, steel, and concrete

SUSPENSION BRIDGES

• Suspend roadway by cables, ropes, or chains from two tall towers
• Towers support the weight from bridges
• Can be built high flexible
• May need closures for earthquakes

WEAKNESSES OF BEAM BRIDGES

• can be very expensive due to the piers that help hold the bridge
• they don't work well for long periods of time
• cannot span more than 250 ft due to the wight in the middle of the bridge

WEAKNESSES FOR ARCH BRIDGES

• An arch can only stand until it is complete
• uses a large amount of material even if it is used for short distance
• cannot hold too much in its midpoint
• incapable of strength

Weaknesses for truss briges

• can easily stress its structure
• buckling is common in truss bridges
• its bars on the bottom are most likely to give out

Weakness of suspension bridges

• its flexibility can cause too much stress with heavy load
• one of the least strong types of bridges
• require expensive foundation work
• known for its common capability of dangerous stress, most likely to give out
• frequently needs to be repaired

the howqua river bridge: beam bridge

The Bayonne bridge, New York: arch bridge

The Ikitsuki bridge, Japan: truss bridge

Calipano suspension bridge, Canada: suspension bridge

"Arch Bridges." Arch Bridges. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.
Cartmell, Paul. "Advantages & Disadvantages of a Suspension Bridge." EHow. Demand Media, 10 Oct. 2009. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.
Lamb, Robert, and Michael Morrissey. HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.