Types of bridge
A bridge is a spanning structure that creates a passage over an obstacle such as a river, gorge, valley, road, railway and so on.
There are a wide range of different types of bridge, including:
- Aqueduct (a bridge carrying water).
- Arch bridges (a load-bearing arch in a state of compression).
- Bascule bridge (a lifting bridge).
- Beam bridges (simple beam or cantilever structures).
- Drawbridge (lifted at one end by cables – sometimes associated with castles and other defensive buildings).
- Green bridge (a crossing that allows the safe passage of wildlife).
- Half through bridge (a bridge in which the lower chord carries the vehicular or pedestrian traffic).
- Lift bridge (a bridge that lifts to allow passage underneath).
- Movable bridge (a spanning structure that can change position or shape to accommodate different situations.
- Navigable aqueduct (structures that incorporate canals above other waterways, valleys or transportation infrastructure).
- Overbridge (a bridge crossing over a transport corridor).
- Pontoon bridge (a floating bridge).
- Retractable bridge (to accommodate different situations and different types of traffic – such as a thrust bridge).
- Submersible bridge (or ducking bridge).
- Suspension bridges (towers secured by cables that suspend the central structural span or deck).
- Swing bridge (a bridge that opens by swinging).
- Through bridge (a bridge in which the lower chord carries the vehicular or pedestrian traffic and having cross-bracing located above the traffic).
- Underbridge (a bridge crossing under a transport corridor such as a railway).
- Viaduct (a bridge like structure composed of a series of spans, used to carry roads and railways across valleys and other depressions).
NB The word 'bridge' can also be a used as a verb meaning to make a bridge over something or between things.
In the construction industry, the word bridge might also refer to a cold bridge. This is a situation in which there is a direct connection between the inside and outside of a building through one or more elements that are more thermally conductive than the rest of the building envelope. For more information see: Cold bridge.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- 3D printed bridge.
- Assessing bridges.
- Bridge construction.
- Bridge structures.
- Clifton Suspension Bridge.
- Examples of bridges.
- Garden bridge.
- Genoa bridge collapse.
- Learning from the Genoa bridge collapse.
- London Bridge and its houses, c1209-1761.
- Optimal arch bridge.
- Queensferry Crossing.
- Saving Dick Nunn's bridge.
- The Iron Bridge.
- The Menai Suspension Bridge.
- The Millau Viaduct.
Featured articles and news
Top 50 firms awarded 52bn of projects in the last year
New engineering data shows.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.
Noise in the built environment
BSRIA guide TG 20/2021.
17,000 people suffer conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work.
Turning down the noise: Auditory health
A pervasive risk with far-reaching consequences.
UK Construction Week, London is here !
Debuting major international pavilions and much more.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.
Any more information about viaducts?