Suspension bridges get their name from the fact that the roadway is suspended by cables from two tall towers . Most of the weight is supported by the two towers. They, in turn, pass the compression forces from the cables directly into the ground. Suspension bridges also have smaller cables called suspenders.
What makes a suspension bridge strong?
Introduction of Bridge Engineering
The main forces in a suspension bridge are tension in the cables and compression in the towers . The deck, which is usually a truss or a box girder, is connected to the suspension cables by vertical suspender cables or rods, called hangers, which are also in tension.
How does a suspension bridge work?
A suspension bridge carries vertical loads through curved cables in tension . These loads are transferred both to the towers, which carry them by vertical compression to the ground, and to the anchorages, which must resist the inward and sometimes vertical pull of the cables.
Is a suspension bridge strong?
Suspension bridges are amazing, wonderful structures. They appear almost fragile, viewed from a distance. Yet, they are very strong and nowadays are the world’s longest bridge type. They are used for the longest crossings.
How are bridges anchored to the ground?
Bridge anchorages are essentially solid rock or massive concrete blocks in which the bridge is grounded. Tensional force passes to the anchorages and into the ground. In addition to the cables, almost all suspension bridges feature a supporting truss system beneath the bridge deck called a deck truss.
How long do suspension bridges last?
They’re built to last, and some, like the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, are more than 100 years old . But none of them will last forever, so engineers are testing a system of sensors that will sound the alarm if a cable nears failure.
How much does a suspension bridge cost?
The typical cost of suspension bridges ranges from $8,000 to $9,000 US per square meter . Of all the bridge types in use today, the suspension bridge allows for the longest spans. At first glance the suspension and cable-stayed bridges may look similar, but they are quite different.
What is the purpose of a suspension bridge?
A suspension bridge carries vertical loads through curved cables in tension . These loads are transferred both to the towers, which carry them by vertical compression to the ground, and to the anchorages, which must resist the inward and sometimes vertical pull of the cables.
Where are suspension bridges most commonly used?
Today, you can still find suspension bridges deep in the remote jungle as well as in most major cities. In the U.S. the two most famous suspension spans are probably San Francisco’s Golden Gate and New York City’s Brooklyn bridges . The main parts of a suspension bridge are its towers, cables, decking and anchorages.
What is the strongest type of bridge?
Truss bridges are extremely effective because they have a high strength to weight ratio. In this experiment we have tested which type of truss bridge is the strongest, yet uses the least amount of material. Two of the most used truss bridges are of the Pratt and Howe design.
What are the disadvantages of a suspension bridge?
- Suspension bridges can struggle to support focused heavy weights. ...
- There is less flexibility with a suspension bridge. ...
- High winds can cause a suspension bridge to start vibrating. ...
- Some access below the deck may be necessary during construction.
What is the largest suspension bridge in the world?
The current Guinness World Record-holder for longest pedestrian suspension bridge is the Kokonoe Yume Bridge in Japan , which spans 1,280 feet.
Why is the suspension bridge famous?
It is seen as an icon of engineering ambition and achievement . Although built for pedestrian and horse-drawn traffic, the bridge was so ingeniously constructed that it still provides a safe vehicle and pedestrian crossing over the 76-metre gorge.
What is the oldest suspension bridge?
The oldest in the world still in use today. Roebling’s Delaware Aqueduct (USA, 1847) , the oldest wire suspension bridge still in service in the United States. John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge (USA, 1866), then the longest wire suspension bridge in the world at 1,057 feet (322 m) main span.
Where is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world?
The Sutong Bridge arcs across a 6-kilometer-wide stretch of the mighty Yangtze River 50 miles upstream from Shanghai. Measuring 8.2 km overall, its main span is the current world record-holder for a cable-stayed bridge.
How bridges work in a network?
A bridge in a computer network connects with other bridge networks that utilize a similar protocol . These network devices work at the data link layer in an OSI model to connect two different networks and provide communication between them. Similar to hubs and repeaters, bridges broadcast data to each node.
