Bridge Build Project

KARL WOLFLEY
PERIOD 5

Bridge Types

There are 4 different types of bridges:

Beam Bridges- Beam bridges are the simplest bridge. These bridges
use a concrete or steel bridge with concrete or steel beams to
support it.

Truss Bridges-Truss bridges utilize the shape of triangles. Straight steel

beams with triangles above and below support the weight on it.

Arch Bridges- These bridges use steel arches to distribute the load of
the bridge across the arch.

Suspension Bridges- Suspension bridges use large steel cables to

help carry weight and distribute it to its supports.

Beam Bridges In Depth

Beam bridges are the most simple type of bride.

They are supported by piers or beams below the bridge, often

wood, concrete, or steel.

These beams help distribute the load placed on the bridge.

Beam bridges are subject to compression and tension under a load.

Beams under the bridge help to reduce this.

Truss Bridges in Depth

Truss Bridges use triangular units to form a truss that supports a load.

Triangle are the strongest structural shape and this bridge takes
advantage of that.

The load of the bridge is evenly distributed across the structure

making it very strong.

Steel bars are used to create straight beams and triangles to form
the bridge.

Arch Bridges in Depth

Arch bridges utilize the arch to evenly distribute weight.

The consist of large arches along the bridge.

Arcs are a very strong structure that distribute weight upward to the
top of the arch.

Weight from the top is then sent down by beams.

Arch bridges have been used for thousands of years, first used by
Romans to support aqueducts.

A key stone at the very top of the arch holds the whole structure
together.

Suspension Bridges

Suspension bridges are very stunning bridges.

There are often used in place where a bridge needs to span a long
distance.

These bridges consist of a long deck with vertical cables, attached

to diagonal cables, attached to towers.

In this kind of bridge, the load is transferred to the vertical cable that
distribute it to the towers through long diagonal cables.

Forces a Bridge Must Withstand

Bridges Must stand 5 different forces:

Squeezing, stretching, bending, sliding, and twisting.

All these forces have major impacts on bridges and failure on any
will result in failure of the bridge.

Squeezing, Stretching and Bending

Squeezing is caused by compression of materials under a load.

Under compression materials become shorter.

Stretching is caused by tension caused by a load. Tension in a

material causes it to become longer.

Bending is caused when a material bows or curves under the weight

of a load. One side is squeezed and become shorter, while the
other is stretched and becomes longer.

Sliding and Twisting

Sliding is caused by shear force and causes different parts of a

material to move in different directions.

Twisting is caused by torsion and is twists parts of a material in

opposite directions.

Temperature and Soft Soil

The bridge must compensate for shifting of the soil under the weight
of the bridge. This is called settlement load and can cause a bridge
to sink.

The bridge must also tolerate expansion or shrinkage of materials

depending on the temperature. This is called the thermal load and
can affect the shape of materials in the bridge.

Loads a Bridge Must Withstand

Bridges must withstand 7 different loads:

Weight of structure, weight of objects, soft soil, temperature,

earthquake, wind, and vibration

Weight of Structure and Weight of

Objects

A bridge must support its dead load, or the weight of the bridge
itself. This includes all parts of the bridge beams, columns, cables,
etc.

The bridge must also support everything on the structure. This is

called the live load. Load can include cars, people, trains, etc.

Shapes Used in Bridges

Bridges most often use three different shapes:

Rectangles, Arches, and Triangles.

Earthquake, Wind, and Vibration

The bridge must withstand shaking ground underneath it during and

earthquake. This is called earthquake load.

The bridge must withstand the force of the wind against it. This is
called wind load and it can push the bridge horizontally.

Vibrations are caused by loads that change over time, dynamic

loads. Pounding or blowing forces on a bridge can create vibrations
that can increase in size.

Advantages/Disadvantages of
Shapes

Rectangles are simple shapes but they are very unstable. If a force is
applied to the side, the whole structure can slide and collapse.

Archs are more complex shapes. An arch is unstable until is

keystone has been place. This means the whole arch must be
supported during construction by cables or some other means.
However, when it is built it is very stable and distributes weight well.

Triangles are the strongest, and simplest shape. When force is

applied at a point the entire triangle has an equal force applied to
the whole structure. Although, when a force is applied to the side it
can bend.

The Golden Gate Bridge

Me at the Golden
Gate Bridge

San Francisco, California

Length: 8,981 ft.

Designed by Joseph Strauss.

The Golden gate bridge is made of Steel.

Construction started on January 5, 1993 and completed in May of

1937. It took 4 years to build.

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway

The worlds longest bridge over water!

Metairie, Louisiana

Length: 126,122

Designed by Palmer & Baker Inc.

The bridge is made od concrete with concrete pilings.

Built on January 20, 1955 and took 13 years to build it

completely.(They added on to it later).

London Bridge

London, England

Length: 883 ft.

Designed by John and George Rennie

Built out of concrete and steel.

The new London bridge was built in 1974 and took 5 years to build.