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consists of a horizontal beam supported at each end by piers. The weight of the beam pushes straight down on the piers. The farther apart its piers, the weaker the beam becomes.
When something pushes down on the beam, the beam bends. Its top edge is pushed together, and its bottom edge is pulled apart.
Moveable Bridge
has a deck that moves.
A swing bridge has a deck that rotates around a center point; a drawbridge has a deck that can be raised and lowered; a bascule bridge deck is raised with counterweights like a drawbridge; the deck of a lift bridge is raised vertically like a massive elevator.
Truss Bridge
consists of an assembly of triangles. Truss bridges are commonly made from a series of straight, steel bars.
Arch Bridge
has great natural strength. Thousands of years ago, Romans built arches out of stone. Today, most arch bridges are made of steel or concrete.
Suspension Bridge
can span 2,000 to 7,000 feet -- way farther than any other type of bridge! Most suspension bridges have a truss system beneath the roadway to resist bending and twisting.
Bridge Challenge
Test your engineering skills and try to match the right bridge to the right location. You may use each bridge type only once - that's a direct order from the mayor of Craggy Rock. Good luck!
Location 1: Multi-lane bridge for commuters and tourists Location 2: Footbridge across a stream Location 3: Highway bridge across a busy shipping port Location 4: Railroad bridge in a national park
Location 1: Build a multi-lane bridge for commuters and tourists Span: 2,000 feet Crossing: River Connects: City and major highway
Special Notes: "I want a one-of-a-kind bridge that will span our beautiful river and welcome visitors from all over the world to our thriving city. Make sure the new bridge leaves enough room for sailboats on the river. Please don't build a bridge that looks like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco or the Brooklyn Bridge in New York." -- Mayor of Craggy Rock
Suspension
Drawbridge
Beam
Arch
Location 1: Drawbridge
A drawbridge is the best choice for this location. Drawbridges, like the Tower Bridge in London, England, can be quite majestic. They're also practical because they open to allow the passage of boats and ships. The mayor is delighted with your selection!
Cantilever Bridge
Cable-Stayed Bridge
Great Choice! It is one of the most popular bridge types in recent years. The roadway hangs from cables like a suspension bridge, forming a unique "A" shape. The mayor is happy because the bridge is made mostly of concrete, a relatively cheap material. The residents are thrilled because ships can pass beneath the bridge without causing traffic jams!
Location 2: Build a bridge for rollerbladers and bikers Span: 100 feet Crossing: Stream Connects: Two bike paths
Special Notes: "We're tired of getting bumped off the road by angry drivers! We want a simple bridge -- one that will connect the bike paths in East and West Craggy Rock over the city stream. We don't have much money, so we're not asking for much. We just want to get to work every day without risking our lives!" -- Craggy Rock Bike-n-Blade Coalition
Suspension
Drawbridge
Beam
Arch
Flash Flood!
When it rains, the city stream rises. A really strong storm could cause flash floods, turning the stream into a raging river. Piles of rocks and a wall of gooey mud could push on the piers of the concrete beam bridge and cause it to topple. Luckily, you can fix it before that happens!
Deeper Piers
Good Idea!! One of the best ways to strengthen a bridge in a flood zone is to set the piers deeper into the ground. The deeper the piers are lodged into the ground, the harder it is to knock them over. The next time floodwaters pound on the piers of your new bridge, it probably won't budge!
Location 3: Build a highway bridge across a busy shipping port Span: 5,000 feet Crossing: Ocean bay Connects: Island and mainland
Special Notes: "Our records indicate that more than 500 ships pass through Craggy Rock Harbor each day. Please build a bridge that does not block the flow of water traffic. We do not want angry sailors or congestion of any kind in our harbor. Thank you." -- The United States Coast Guard
Suspension
Drawbridge
Beam
Arch
Hurricane Winds
Your new bridge is moving up and down a lot in the wind! This isn't a big problem under normal conditions, but what if a hurricane were to blow through town? It could cause the bridge to move too much, or even twist so violently that it would snap in half!
Stiffen the deck with an open truss? Make the bridge narrower?
Open Truss
Good Idea! This is a great solution! By adding an open truss beneath the deck of the bridge, you've designed a structure that is less likely to move up and down a lot on a gusty day, because the wind will blow right through it! Since the Tacoma Narrows Bridge disaster in 1940, many major suspension bridges have been built with a stiffening truss.
Location 4: Build a railroad bridge in a national park Span: 500 feet Crossing: Deep river gorge Connects: Two rocky bluffs
Special Notes: "We do not want the new bridge to detract from the natural beauty of Craggy Rock National Park. Please build a simple and elegant bridge -- one that does not have towers or piers." -- The National Park Service
Suspension
Drawbridge
Beam
Arch
Steel?
Well Done!!