Types of bridges

The most common types of bridges are described below:

Beam Bridge
Arch Bridge
Cantilever Bridge
Suspension Bridge
Cable-stayed Bridge
Truss Bridge.
Beam Bridge
Beam bridges are the simplest bridge type normally
consisting of one or more spans, supported by pier or
abutment at each end. Beam bridges are usually
constructed of RCC or steel or a combination of both
RCC and Steel.
The concrete elements used in beam bridges may be
reinforced, prestressed or post-tensioned. Types of
beam bridges are girder bridges, box girder bridges,
plate girder bridges etc
Arch Bridge
As the name suggests, the arch bridge consists of a
curve-shaped abutment at each end. Generally, the
roadway of the bridge lies on the arch structure.
The arch squeezes together and this squeezing force is
carried along the curve to support each end.
The abutments then push back on the arch and
prevent the arch ends from spreading apart. The span
of arch bridges is normally up to 800 feet and is made
of stone, steel, or concrete.
Types of arch bridge
Hinge-less arch bridge
Two hinged arch bridges.
Three hinged arch bridge
Tied arch bridge.
Cantilever Bridge
The cantilever bridge is
constructed using a cantilever
span, i.e the span is supported at
one end and the other end is
opened. Usually, two cantilever
parts are joined to make the
roadway.
Suspension Bridge
In suspension bridge, the deck slab is suspended using
ropes, chains, or high tensile strength steel cables.
The roadway hangs from massive steel cables, which
are draped over two towers and secured by anchors on
both ends of the bridge.
The anchors are made from solid concrete blocks. The
cables transfer the loads into compression in the two
towers. usually, this type of bridge can span 2000 –
7000 feet.
Cable-stayed Bridge
Cable-stayed bridges are similar
to suspension bridges as they also
use cables but in a different form.
They consist of fewer cables and
the height of the towers is much
greater than the suspension bridge
Truss Bridge
The superstructure of the truss bridge
is constructed by using trusses which
are comprised of many small elements
forming triangular trusses. Truss is
used because it is a very rigid structure
and it can transfer the load from a
single point to a much wider area.
Selection Criteria For Bridge Site
A site which is on a straight reach of the drainage
should be selected. The curved reach of drainage
should be avoided as far as possible.
The stream at bridge side should have permanent,
firm, straight and high banks.
The stream at the Bridge site should be well defined
and as narrow as possible.
The site should be sufficiently away from the
confluence point.
Selection Criteria For Bridge Site
There should be no scouring and silting of the stream
at the bridge site.
A site which offers a square crossing should be
selected as far as possible.
The site which offers more advantageous foundation
condition should be preferred.
A site which is sufficiently away from the landslides
and subsidence should be preferred.
Selection Criteria For Bridge Site
The site should not interfere adversely with any other
bridges, weirs, regulators, dams, etc in the vicinity
There should be a minimum obstruction to natural
waterway at the bridge site.
The stream at the bridge site should be free from
costly river training works.
The bridge should provide proximity to the direct
alignment of the communication route to be served.
Bridge Loading
There are three kinds of forces that operate on any
bridge: the dead load, the live load, and the dynamic
load.
DEAD LOAD
Dead load refers to the weight of the bridge
itself. Like any other structure, a bridge has a tendency
to collapse simply because of the gravitational forces
acting on the materials of which the bridge is made.
Bridge loading
LIVE LOAD
Live load refers to traffic that moves across the
bridge as well as normal environmental factors such as
changes in temperature, precipitation, and winds.
DYNAMIC LOAD
Dynamic load refers to environmental factors
that go beyond normal weather conditions, factors
such as sudden gusts of wind and earthquakes. All
three factors must be taken into consideration when
building a bridge.
Bridge load distribution
The permanent load is distributed to the girders by
assigning to each all loads from superstructure
elements within half the distance to the adjacent
girder. This includes the dead load of the girder itself
and the soffit, in the case of box girder structures.