BRIDGE DESIGN PROJECT

Jens Larsen
Period 5

TYPES OF BRIDGES

Arch Bridge- use arches as the main structural component

Beam Bridge- supported by several beams of various shapes and

sizes

Suspension Bridges- use ropes or cables that directly connect to

vertical columns to support the bridge

Cable-Stayed Bridges- uses deck cables that directly connect to

vertical columns. Usually uses harp design or the fan design

Truss Bridge- uses diagonal mesh of posts above the bridge

ARCH BRIDGE

Arch bridges use arches as the main structural component. These

arches are always underneath the bridge. The number and size
of the arches really depend on the size and how much stress the
bridge will undergo. These types of bridges are usually seen on
the older bridges. These could be made out of many different
types of materials.

BEAM BRIDGE

Beam bridges are the most basic types of bridges. They have
various supports underneath like columns or beams spread
evenly underneath the span of the bridge. These bridges are
usually used to cover shorter distances because they tend to be
weaker than others. Beam bridges are most likely the simplest
type. Many types of materials can be used to make these.

SUSPENSION BRIDGE

This bridge is supported by cables vertically connecting to the

deck of the bridge. These can be some of the most beautiful
types of bridges. Cables are connected to multiple vertical
columns or pillars that are span along the length of the bridge.
These cables are anchored at each end of the bridge.

TRUSS BRIDGE

Instead of having most of the support on the bottom, these

bridges have the support on top. The structure is made of
multiple beams that create triangular supports that make the
deck stronger. This has much to do with Newtons laws of motion.
When stress is applied to the deck, the truss members above the
bridge are sort of engaged to reinforce the deck.

COMPRESSION & TENSION

Compression, a.k.a. the pushing force on bridges can bend

bridges and cause a lot of wear on them. Usually the shorter the
bridge is, the more compression it can hold. With truss bridges,
compression can evenly be distributed between each pillar or
column.

Tension is the pulling force. Its when the bridge is stretched out
and unlike compression, length is independent of the effects of
tension.

TENSION

Tension is the pulling force on bridges. This could also be called

the stretching of bridges. Unlike compression, length of the bridge
does not matter. The same amount of tension can be applied to
two different length bridges and it will affect it the same.

Torsion could be considered the twisting motion of a bridge.

Torsion can really damage a bridge and engineers must really
take into consideration torsion. Different materials can handle
torsion very differently.

Shear is created when two objects rub together at the same

point. Its the result of the friction between them and can cause
bridges to wear fast.

TORSION & SHEAR

The dead load of a bridge is the actual weight of itself. This

includes all part and materials used to create the bridge. Its
called a dead load because it doesnt move, except for when
something makes it move like the wind or something like that.

Live load is the moving weight on the bridge. This includes all the
traffic that will pass over or any other object that crosses.

DEAD AND LIVE LOADS

Dynamic loads have a lot to do with the weather. Its basically

any outside force that acts on the bridge. Bridges must be
adjusted to withstand and allow it to handle dynamic loads.

Environmental loads are pretty self explanatory. Its anything in the

environment that will effect the bridge. This includes extreme
weather conditions and even not so extreme conditions that can
wear out the bridge that must be taken into consideration.

DYNAMIC & ENVIRONMENTAL LOADS

Settlement load is the soil beneath the structure and what its
based on. Bridges can sink and move depending on what the
bridge is built upon.

Thermal loads are based on the weather. Its how the materials
react to the different temperatures they are going to undergo.
The beams and structures shape can change, push and pull.

SETTLEMENT AND THERMAL LOAD

With an earthquake load, the earth moves and jerks the bridge
that can cause a lot of damage. They push and pull horizontally
on the bridge.

Another load that pushes horizontally on a bridge is wind.

WIND AND EARTHQUAKE LOAD

One type of bridge shape are rectangular bridges. The rectangle

shape bridges can be sometime unstable or wobbly unless
braces are added.

Arch is another common shape. When weight is added on top of

an arch bridge, the sides are pushed out. Buttresses are external
supports that prevents this from happening or limits the bending.

RECTANGLE AND ARCH SHAPE

When weight is applied to a triangle shaped bridge the outer

edges squeeze together and the inner edge is pulled apart. This
causes the sides to bend. Except when weight is applied directly
to the top of the triangle then it does not bend, which is why its so
stable and/or strong. Triangles are the most rigid and stable types
of bridge shapes.

TRIANGLE SHAPE

The Golden Gate Bridge is located over the channel between

San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

The bridge is one mile wide and three miles long.

It was designed by Joseph Strauss and M.M. OShaughnessy

Its made up of steel

Construction began January 5th, 1933 and ended April 19, 1937

It took about five years for them to build the bridge

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

The Brooklyn Bridge is in New York City, its spans over the east river
and connects Manhattan and Brooklyn.

It is 1,595.5 feet long

It was designed by A German Immigrant John Augustus Roebling

Towers are made up of limestone, granite and Rosendale

cement.

Construction began in January of 1870 and ended in May of

1883

It took 13 years to build

BROOKLYN BRIDGE

Tower Bridge is located in London, England

It is 880 feet in length

It was designed by Sir Horace Jones and Sir John Wolfe-Barry

It was built with steel and brick (masonry)

Construction began in 1886 and ended in 1892

It took a total of 8 years to build

TOWER BRIDGE