Different types of bridges

June 5, 2024 Roberto Magalhães

This article explains the different types of bridges being built around the world. Type of construction, load distribution, type of materials used in construction and type of loads applied to the bridge are some factors that influence the selection of bridge types.

Let's look at what criteria are available to categorize bridges.

Types of construction materials – Steel, concrete, wood, prestressing, etc.
Structural form – truss, beam, suspension, cantilever, etc.
Depending on the intended use – Road bridge, motorway bridge, railway bridge, pedestrian bridge, etc.
After the bridge spans – Culvert bridge, long span bridge, wide span bridge, etc.

There are many other methods that can be used to classify bridges. Above are some of the most common methods for identifying bridge types.

Let's discuss the bridge types in detail.

Truss Bridge

A truss is a structure that transmits loads as axial forces. It is not subject to bending and shear forces.

There are different classifications depending on the arrangement of the trusses.

Let's see what the main components of the truss bridge are.

Figure from Wikipedia

The figure above shows the basic components of the truss bridge. There are other components, such as deck bracing, to increase the lateral stiffness of the bridge.

Let us briefly discuss the different types of truss bridges.

Howe Truss Bridge

However, the structure can be made of wood, iron or steel.

It consists of vertical and diagonal elements. The following image from Wikipedia shows the shower truss bridge component.

This is one of the old types of bridges that were widely used in the 19th century and is easy to design. The project is possible with just a simple calculation.

Furthermore, it is one of the most cost-effective types of bridges because it is easy to build and its construction is not very complicated.

Pony Truss Bridge

This is also a truss bridge.

Traffic can flow through the structure and the structures are not connected by struts on either side of the street.

Due to limited spans, this is not commonly used in bridge construction. As the span of the bridge increases, we need lateral limits for the truss. If there are no limits, the bridge could collapse.

These types of bridges can be replaced with metal girder bridges. By changing the lateral stiffness of the plate girders, the span of the bridge can be increased.

The length of these types of bridges is limited.

Parker Truss Bridge

This type of bride was invented by Charles H. Parker. His name is used for this type of bride.

The upper and lower chords are not parallel. This is also a simple truss, but two trusses on each side of the street are connected at the top and bottom by horizontal and diagonal braces.

K Truss Bridge

The K-truss bridge is a variant of the Parker truss bridge.

Apparently there are combinations of elements like the letter K.

Furthermore, combining elements reduces the useful length of the elements. The vertical elements are connected by inclined elements and thus form the structure.

Bailey Truss Bridge

The Bailey Truss Bridge is a temporary bridge that originally dates back to World War II.

It is a portable and prefabricated truss bridge. It can be transported from one location to another.

Even today, bridges of this type are still built during the war to cross dams, dikes and embankments.

During the construction of our new bridge, exterior bridges will be built for the bypass route.

The simplicity of construction and the possibility of dismantling if necessary are the most important facts about this type of bridge.

Truss Bridge

A truss bridge is a truss bridge constructed of closely spaced diagonal elements.

Furthermore, these bridges are made of wood or steel.

Diagonally arranged elements support the loads between the upper and lower chords.

These bridges can be seen in pedestrian bridges, railway bridges, etc.

In addition to the above types of truss bridges, there are many other types of truss bridges as described in the Wikipedia article. Truss bridge .

Cantilever bridge

When designing these types of bridges, the cantilever effect is taken into consideration. The bridges are self-supporting, with the supports supporting the loads of the central span.

The following figure from Wikipedia is a simple example of how stability is maintained.

In this type of bridge, the action of the truss serves as a load transfer mechanism.

There are normally two abutments in the middle of the bridge, from which the bridge is suspended. Depending on the total length of the bridge, there may be several pillars of this type.

These types of bridges mainly consist of the following components:

anchor arm – ensures stability of the boom movement. Compensates for rotation caused by the boom arm.
Boom arm – The main component of the bridge is the cantilever arm. He supports the bridge. The suspended part of the bridge is supported by the cantilever arm.
Suspension span – It is supported by the cantilever arms on both sides of the bridge.

These bridges are constructed of structural steel and profiles such as universal beam profiles, H profiles, rectangular hollow profiles, circular hollow profiles, etc. are often used as bridge elements.

The illustration above shows a typical cantilever bridge. There are different architectures with different appearances, but which meet functional and structural requirements.

Furthermore, the construction of this type of bridge is comparatively easier than that of other types of bridges as we can continue construction from an abutment to the middle of the span.

Once both sides are completed, the suspension bridge can be placed by connecting the two cantilevers.

Furthermore, if a certain headroom is required for movement over the bridge, these types of bridges are more useful because the nature of the bridge allows it.

Suspension bridge – cable-stayed bridge

Suspension bridges, also known as cable-stayed bridges, are types of bridges designed for large spans.

The bridge deck is supported by vertically suspended cables, which in turn are supported by cables fixed between the pillars/abutments.

The following components can be observed in a suspension bridge.

main cable

The cable running on top of the bridge that connects all the components of the bridge and is anchored at the ends is the main cable.

It is the element that transfers the bridge's loads to the supporting structures and can be called the bridge's key element.

It is a combination of steel wires and the main cable consists of thousands of wires.

Suspender cable

The alloy cables are also made from the same material. This is also a combination of steel wires. However, these cables are not as thick as the main cable.

These cables are used to connect the deck to the main cable.

covered area

The deck is the area where the movement of people and vehicles is allowed.

The deck is a combination of trusses and steel beams.

Trusses and struts fixed between the trusses to stabilize the deck are hung from the main cable using overhead cables.

Torres

The tower is the main component that supports the suspension cable. The main span of the bridge is maintained between the towers.

It is also called a pillar.

Towers are usually made of concrete or steel and represent the tallest part of the bridge.

anchor

Anchors are the concrete blocks that support the cable at the ends.

The tensile force of the cable is supported by the ground anchor block, which rests on a foundation pile .

Suspension bridges or cable-stayed bridges are designed for three limit states.

The main component where these limit states must be observed is the main cable.

Ultimate Limit State Rope Tension Design
Limit state of serviceability for tensile, bending and vibration stresses and deformations
fatigue limit state for traffic loads and wind effects.

When designing a suspension bridge, the following types of actions are taken into account.

Dead loads – dead weight of the structure
Traffic load – The necessary traffic loads must be taken into account in accordance with the relevant standards.
Wind Loads – Wind is one of the most important load cases that must be considered in the design. Lateral loads acting in the horizontal direction create vibrations in the bridge. This could lead to the collapse of the bridge. Therefore, necessary changes must be made to the bridge to prevent collapse due to wind. Wind tunnel tests are also carried out to determine the structure's behavior. Therefore, countermeasures must be taken to prevent vibrations caused by wind.

Advantages of suspension bridges

The main advantage of the cable-stayed bridge is the ability to span large spans. Unlike other types of bridges, a larger span between two piers or piers is possible here.
The nature of this bridge means that less material needs to be used compared to other types of bridges. This could reduce construction costs.
Traffic along the river will not be hampered by the bridge.
In addition to cable laying, comparatively less intervention is required for ground-level construction in the river section.

Disadvantages of suspension bridges

To avoid wind-related vibrations, the bridge deck needs to be more rigid. As the wingspan is very high, we need a more rigid system to withstand aerodynamic influences.
When traffic volumes are high, low bridge deck stiffness is a problem.
The costs for the foundation are comparatively higher.

Arch bridge

Arch bridges are one of the oldest types of bridges. Different types of bridges fall into this category.

The construction load and other acting loads are transferred to the column through the curvature.

There are different types of bridges built with different materials. When construction of the arch bridges began, there was still no concrete. Therefore, different techniques are used in construction.

Masonry arches, stone arches, etc. are stably constructed to support the bridge superstructure. These materials are weak in tension. Therefore, the arch is designed in such a way that loads are transferred as compressive forces.

Let's look at the common types of arch bridges.

Cantilever Arch Bridge
Deck Arch Bridge
Continuous arch bridge
Tied arch bridge
Arch bridge with instantaneous tension
Solid – Fixed Concrete Arch Bridges
Pin – Pin concrete arch bridges
Canal aqueduct and viaduct

Modern arch bridges are constructed of concrete, steel, or a combination of both materials, although the ancient bridge was constructed of brick or rubble.

Girder bridge

Girder bridge construction falls into this category.

Different types of beams are used to construct beam bridges.

Reinforced concrete beams
Universal support – steel
License plate holder
Prestressed concrete beams
Prestressed beam
Box beam

Bridges with reinforced concrete beams

As we all know, reinforced concrete has its limitations. As the span of the bridge increases, we need to increase the depth of the beam.

Furthermore, the reinforcement area must also be increased. For larger spans, this is not an economical option.

High loads must be taken into account in the design, especially on motorways. In these situations, concrete beams may not be economical, even if the span of the bridges is larger.

Therefore, reinforced concrete girder bridges are best suited for spans of less than 10 m.

If applicable deep bars can be used to support the bridge as needed.

Universal carrier

The universal beam is a steel beam whose web height is greater than the chord height.

The steel beams are placed into the abutment at regular intervals required by the design and then the bridge deck is placed.

Typically types of beams are constructed as composite beams, taking into consideration the composite effect of the plate.

If composite action is not considered, steel beams are designed as normal beams in accordance with relevant standards.

Practical example of a steel beam structure could be used to learn the procedures to be followed in beam construction. This example has been prepared to BS 5950 and construction must comply with the relevant standard.

License plate holder

Sheet metal beams are often used in bridge construction. They are made of steel and are prefabricated supports.

Unlike laminated profiles, production can be carried out according to the needs of the bridge.

The article License plate holder For more information on this topic, please contact:

Tension beam

Prestressed concrete beams are the most widely used Types of beams are used in various types of bridges.

After manufacturing the concrete beams, prestressing and subsequent installation take place.

Unlike other types of beams, tension beams can be used to support large spans. Most medium-sized bridges are constructed as tension girders.

The worked example Construction of tension beams For more information on the process of constructing a prestressed concrete beam, see.

Box beam

Box girders are a type of bridge girder commonly used when large spans need to be supported.

Furthermore, they are also used in suspension bridges.

Typically, box girder bridges are post-tensioned. Furthermore, they are the best type of bridge beam that can effectively resist torsional moments.

Therefore, box girder bridges are more effective for curved bridges.

bascule bridge

The bascule bridge is built when we need to take into account the movement of the river. Therefore, these types of bridges are also called lifting bridges.

If necessary, the bridge can be raised and lowered for vehicle movements.

There are many famous bridges in the world, for example Tower Bridge in London.

Counterweights attached to the bridge support the movement of the bridge in the vertical direction. There are also many other methods to achieve rotation of the bridge on the abutment.

culvert bridge

Culverts are types of bridges built around the world as short span bridges.

To categorize culverts, their construction method is used.

The following types of culvert bridges are commonly found throughout the world.

Pipe culverts – One or more pipes are joined together to form a bridge. Generally concrete is poured between the pipes to create a complete bridge.
Elbow passage – Part of the pipe is designed as an elbow. This is more similar to the old arch bridges. The bridge may consist of one or more arches.
Box passage – It is a box-shaped concrete structure that allows water to flow through the box and transit through the upper plate of the box. Depending on the length of the channel, there may be one or more boxes.
Bridge culvert – The construction is identical to the bridge, but is also similar to a hydraulic box bridge. The pillars are identical to those on the bridge.