CE 4114, Sessional on Structural Analysis & Design-III 1

Bridge:
A structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle
(such as a river, canal etc.) without closing the way beneath is called Bridge. A
Bridge connects the island to the mainland.

Importance of the Bridge:

Bridges have always been an important part of our
environment. They have been major subjects of literature and art, both – ancient and
modern. The importance of the bridge is given below –
1. Bridges allow safe passage where previously it was not possible or much more
difficult.
2. The charity, Bridges to Prosperity, have been building bridges in rural areas
around the world which help to move local communities out of poverty.
3. Bridges also allow people and communities to connect together, allowing
better understanding of different people’s beliefs and cultures.
4. Bridges improves the environment for emergency care.
5. It also improves the convenience of public transportation.
6. Bridges ease a traffic jam and reduce traffic of a railway crossing.

Types of Bridges:
Bridges can be classified in many ways like, on the basis of
construction material used, mechanism for holding weight etc. However, most
commonly they are differentiated on the basis of their mechanism for bearing
weight. Some of the basic types of bridges are –
1. Beam Bridge 7. Floating Bridge
2. Truss Bridge
3. Arch Bridge
4. Suspension Bridge
5. Cantilever Bridge
6. Cable-Stayed Bridge
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Fig: Beam Bridge Fig: Truss Bridge

Fig: Arch Bridge Fig: Suspension Bridge

Fig: Cantilever Bridge Fig: Cable Stayed Bridge

Figure: Different Types of Bridges

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Mechanism of Different Types of Bridges:

1. Beam Bridges:
It is a very simple type of bridge, which lies just flat. It may also
include some piers in middle for supporting it. The downward forces just get spread
evenly across the bridge. Piers provide the upward forces for holding together the
bridge. It is also known as a girder bridge and it is one of the most common and
simplest of all the bridges. It must resist any kind of twisting and bending when load
is applied on it.

Figure 1: Force distribution mechanism of Beam Bridge

2. Truss Bridges:
It refers to a structure composed of many smaller parts or
components. It can be spotted by seeing a network of straight beams placed in an
assembly of triangles. This triangular series work as superstructure and transfer the
deck load to the piers. These bridges are generally made of steel bars. These bridges
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are capable of supporting heavy loads. It includes bridges like Bailey bridge, K
Truss, Bowstring Arch Truss, etc.

(a) (b)

Figure 2: (a) Force distribution mechanism of Truss bridge

(b) Truss member in tension or compression

3. Arch Bridges:
It is referred to as an arch bridge as it is shaped in the form of arch
rather than straight structure. Arch structure lies beneath the bridge. These bridges
were also constructed long time back. They have good natural strength. The load is
pushed outward and downward due to curved pattern. The force does not remain
same throughout the bridge surface, but it is pushed towards the end supports. A
bridge with multiple arches beneath the surface is also a common type of arch type
bridges. Tied arch bridges, Corbel arch bridge, Aqueducts and Canal viaducts, Deck
arch bridge, through arch bridge and Tied arch bridge are also some variants of arch
bridges.
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Figure 3: Force distribution mechanism of Truss Bridge

4. Suspension Bridges:
These bridges made of cables, ropes or chains which are
laced across the river. Deck is suspended from the cables, ropes or chains. Originally
these bridges were made from materials like rope and wood. However, modern
bridges make use of high tensile strength cables. Cables assist in supporting weight
of the deck and its load. Cables undergo tension, whereas towers undergo
compression in this type of bridge.

Figure 4: Force distribution mechanism of Suspension Bridge

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5. Cantilever Bridge:
It refers to the bridge which is only anchored on one end.
They are quiet similar in appearance to arch bridges. However, they support the load
through diagonal bracing. Usually, they feature a truss formation in both below and
upward parts of the bridge. They are also considered as a modified form of Beam
Bridge. However, the support lies at the middle area of the span.

Figure 5: Nature of bar forces of Cantilever Bridge members

6. Cable-Stayed Bridge:
A cable-stayed bridge has one or more towers (or pylons),
from which cables support the bridge deck. A distinctive feature are the cables which
run directly from the tower to the deck, normally forming a fan-like pattern or a
series of parallel lines. This is in contrast to the modern suspension bridge, where
the cables supporting the deck are suspended vertically from the main cable,
anchored at both ends of the bridge and running between the towers. The cable-
stayed bridge is optimal for spans longer than cantilever bridges and shorter than
suspension bridges.
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Figure 6: Force distribution mechanism of Cable stayed Bridge

7. Floating Bridge:
A pontoon bridge is a collection of specialized, shallow draft
boats or floats, connected together to cross a river or canal, with a track or deck
attached on top. The water buoyancy supports the boats, limiting the maximum load
to the total and point buoyancy of the pontoons or boats. The supporting boats or
floats can be open or closed, temporary or permanent in installation, and made of
rubber, metal, wood, or concrete. The decking may be temporary or permanent, and
constructed out of wood, modular metal, or asphalt or concrete over a metal frame.

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