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What are the six basic forms of bridges used in engineering?
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bridge
The multiple-span Seto Great Bridge over the Inland Sea, linking Kojima, Honshu, with Sakaide, Shikoku, Japan.
In the field of bridge engineering, there are six basic forms of bridges used to span distances and support loads. These forms are categorized based on their structural mechanics and how they transfer forces to their foundations:1
- Beam bridge: The most common form, which carries vertical loads primarily through bending.2
- Truss bridge: A structure composed of a series of triangles, which provides stability and allows for the support of significant loads over large spans using relatively little material.3
- Arch bridge: A design that carries loads primarily through compression, exerting both vertical and horizontal forces on its foundations.45
- Suspension bridge: A form that carries vertical loads through curved cables in tension, transferring them to towers and anchorages.67
- Cantilever bridge: A structure supported at one end, often employed for large spans where heavy loading is required.8
- Cable-stayed bridge: A design in which a tower supports the roadway directly by means of a number of cables.7