Types Of Bridges Flashcards

Arch Bridge

• Features abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch.
• Distributes weight and loads through horizontal thrust into the abutments.

Beam Bridge

• Simplest bridge form supported at each end by abutments or piers.
• Structural type known as simply supported with no moment transfer.

Truss Bridge

• Composed of connected elements forming triangular units for load-bearing.
• Stresses elements through tension, compression, or both under dynamic loads.

Suspension Bridge

• Supports deck weight via vertical cables from larger cables between towers.
• Cables are anchored in abutments at each end.

Cable Stayed Bridge

• Deck weight supported by cables running directly to one or more towers.
• A modern bridge design utilized for its efficiency.

Box Girder Bridge

• Main beams shaped like a hollow box, typically rectangular or trapezoidal.
• Commonly made of prestressed concrete, structural steel, or composite materials.
• Used frequently in highway flyovers and light rail transport.

Cantilever Bridge

• Built using cantilevers that project into space from a single end.
• Can span over 1,500 feet (460 m) using steel trusses or prestressed concrete box girders.

Clapper Bridge

• An ancient bridge form, primarily found in the UK moors.
• Constructed from large flat stone slabs supported on stone piers or stream banks.

Girder Bridge

• Utilizes girders to support the deck, consisting of foundation, superstructure, and deck.
• Most commonly constructed bridge globally, often resembling a log spanning a river.

Moon Bridge

• Highly arched pedestrian bridge found in gardens of China and Japan.
• Originated in China, showcasing a traditional architectural style.

Moveable Bridge

• A bridge that can move to facilitate passage, especially for boats.
• In the U.S., often synonymous with drawbridge, but draws attention to a broader category.

Spiral Bridge

• A looping road bridge that allows rapid elevation changes in steep terrain.
• Forms a helix shape, enabling effective land use.

Pontoon Bridge

• A floating bridge supported by floats or shallow-draft boats.
• Ideal for pedestrian and vehicle travel, limited by buoyancy-based loading capacity.