HOW BRIDGES WORK

THE BASICS Dimensions? Purpose? Type? Design? $$$$$$?

Civil Engineer Bridges Canals Roads

Civil Engineer Water/Wastewater systems (sewers) Foundations Tunnels` Airports

BEAM BRIDGE A horizontal structure resting on piers. Weight supported by piers. Constructed using concrete/steel.

TYPES OF BEAM BRIDGES TRUSS – a structure consisting of 1 or more triangular units whose ends are connected.

TRUSS FORCES Truss members experience BOTH tension and compression Top and bottom members experience MORE force than the center members Truss is rigid and can dissipate the weight throughout the structure.

Pont du Gard – Vers Pont du Gard ARCH BRIDGE Semi-circular structure with abutments on each end. ALWAYS UNDER COMPRESSION The shape of the structure dissipates the weight. Pont du Gard – Vers Pont du Gard c. 19BC-60AD

SUSPENSION BRIDGE Cables are strung across multiple towers and the deck is suspended from these cables. Cables are held in place by anchor blocks Cables are under tension, towers are under compression

Newport Bridge – Newport, RI NAME THE BRIDGE Newport Bridge – Newport, RI June 28, 1969

Tower Bridge – London, England NAME THE BRIDGE Tower Bridge – London, England 1894

Sydney Harbor Bridge – Sydney, Australia NAME THE BRIDGE Sydney Harbor Bridge – Sydney, Australia 1932

Magdeburg Water Bridge – Elbe River, Germany NAME THE BRIDGE Magdeburg Water Bridge – Elbe River, Germany October, 2003

The Millennium Bridge – London, England NAME THE BRIDGE The Millennium Bridge – London, England June 2000

Balsa Wood Bridge Jeff Cathcart???