continuous beam bridge

A continuous beam bridge is a type of beam bridge where two or more beams are rigidly joined together over their supports. This design differs from a simply supported beam bridge, which has beams spanning between only two supports. In a continuous beam bridge, the beams bend under vertical loads, experiencing horizontal compression on top and tension on the bottom. The supports transfer these loads vertically to the foundations. Materials like steel and reinforced concrete are commonly used, with prestressed concrete being particularly effective due to concrete's compressive strength and steel's tensile strength. Continuous beam bridges are generally limited to shorter spans, typically not exceeding 76 meters (250 feet) between supports, to maintain stability. Examples include sections of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway and China's Donghai Bridge.12