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bascule bridge
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Drawbridge in Edam, Neth. Drawbridge Illustration of a typical medieval castle complex viewed from above, showing labeled features including the chapel, inner and outer baileys, kitchen, storehouse, stables, donjon or keep, postern gate, list or ward, moat, portcullis, and drawbridge within fortified walls.
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bascule bridge

engineering
Also known as: drawbridge
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Drawbridge in Edam, Neth.
Drawbridge in Edam, Neth.

A bascule bridge is a type of drawbridge that is counterbalanced. This means that one end of the bridge is weighted or balanced by the other end, operating on a principle similar to a seesaw. The term "bascule" itself comes from the French word for seesaw.12

The engineering of modern bridges has evolved significantly, particularly with the development of materials like iron, steel, and concrete, which allowed for designs that moved beyond traditional wood and stone structures. This evolution has been driven by industrial advancements and innovations in various countries, including Great Britain, the United States, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, and China.34

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5 Britannica Sources
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  2. bascule
  3. bridge - Lessons of the disaster
  4. bridge - Tacoma Narrows
  5. bridge - Suspension bridges

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