A suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck is hung below suspension cables on vertical suspenders. The basic structural components of a suspension bridge system include
stiffening girders/trusses, the main suspension cables, main towers
, and the anchorages for the cables at each end of the bridge.
What is the function of a suspension bridge?
This type of bridge has cables suspended between towers, with vertical suspender cables that
transfer the live and dead loads of the deck below
, upon which traffic crosses. This arrangement allows the deck to be level or to arc upward for additional clearance.
What makes a suspension bridge a suspension bridge?
In a suspension bridge,
the main cables suspend the deck (girder, roadway)
. Most of the bridge’s weight (and any vehicles on the bridge) is suspended from the cables. The cables are held up only by the towers, which means that the towers support a tremendous weight (load). The steel cables are both strong and flexible.
What are the characteristics of a cable stayed bridge?
A cable-stayed bridge
has one or more towers (or pylons)
, from which cables support the bridge deck. A distinctive feature are the cables or stays, which run directly from the tower to the deck, normally forming a fan-like pattern or a series of parallel lines.
What is special about a suspension bridge?
Modern suspension bridges are
light and aesthetically pleasing and can span longer distances than any other bridge form
. They are also among the most expensive bridges to construct. Though suspension bridges can be made strong enough to support freight trains, they have nearly all been designed for automobile traffic.
What are disadvantages of 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 are the strengths of a suspension bridge?
- It can span over long distances. Suspension bridges can span anywhere between 2,000 to 13,000 feet, which is farther than any type of bridge can accommodate. …
- It is inexpensive to build. …
- It is easy to maintain. …
- It is incredibly versatile. …
- It is aesthetically pleasing.
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.
What are the two types of suspension bridges?
- Arch bridge.
- Bascule bridge.
- Beam bridge.
- Box girder bridge.
- Bridge–tunnel.
- Burr truss.
- Cable-stayed bridge.
- Canopy bridge.
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.
How long do suspension bridges last?
The roadway hangs suspended below, with all its weight pulling on the main cables. And these bridges are built to last; some of them are more than 100 years old, including New York City’s Brooklyn Bridge. San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge is more than 70 years old. But none of these bridges
will last forever
.
What is the oldest suspension bridge?
Bottom line: On January 30, 1826, workers completed
the Menai Bridge between Wales and Anglesey
, the first modern suspension bridge in the world.
How are simple suspension bridges built?
Simple suspension bridges are restricted in their use to foot traffic. For safety, they are built with
stout handrail cables, supported on short piers at each end, and running parallel to the load-bearing cables
. Sometime these may be the primary load-bearing element, with the deck suspended below.
What is the difference between a cable stayed and suspension bridge?
The difference lies
in how the cables are connected to the towers
. In suspension bridges, the cables ride freely across the towers, transmitting the load to the anchorages at either end. In cable-stayed bridges, the cables are attached to the towers, which alone bear the load.
What is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the United States?
Louisiana – Cable-stayed bridges are roadways supported by strong cables that hang from one or more towers and run diagonally and parallel to one another. With a main cable-stayed span stretching 1,583 feet,
John James Audubon Bridge
is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the United States.
What are the disadvantages of a bridge?
Following are the disadvantages of Bridges: ➨
It is slower compare to repeaters due to filtering
. ➨It does not filter broadcasts. ➨It is more expensive compare to repeaters.
