Home > Science Fact Finder > Bridges, Buildings, and Other Structures - What Are The Various Types Of Bridge Structures?

1. Printable Version
2. Download PDF
3. Cite this Page
4. Tweet This

What are the various types of bridge structures?

There are four basic types of bridge structures: rigid beam, arch, suspension, and cantilever.

The rigid beam bridge is the simplest and most common type of bridge. It covers a relatively short span. A rigid beam bridge consists of straight vertical slabs, or girders, that are embedded in the ground and on which the roadbed is carried. The load (weight) is supported from below by the girders.

The foundation of the arch bridge is an arched, compressed slab (shaped like the top half of a circle) that thrusts outward against supports at each end. The roadway and load rests primarily on the arch. There are vertical girders positioned at given intervals throughout the length of the bridge, which also provide support.

In the suspension bridge, the roadway hangs from steel cables. The entire structure is supported by two or more towers that extend far...

Join eNotes

The above is a free excerpt. Get total access to this content with the:

eNotes Pass

1. Bridges And Tunnels
   1. Who is known as the founder of civil engineering?
   2. What are the various types of bridge structures?
   3. What is the world's longest bridge span?
   4. Are there any floating bridges in the United States?
   5. Where is the longest suspension bridge in the United States?
   6. Who designed the Golden Gate Bridge?
   7. Which area of the United States has the greatest number of bridges?
   8. Who built the Brooklyn Bridge?
   9. Where is the longest bridge-tunnel in the world located?
   10. What is the world's longest rood tunnel?
2. Streets And Highways
   1. When was the first transcontinental U.S. highway built?
   2. How are United States highways numbered?
   3. How was early macadam different from modern paved roads?
   4. What is a jersey barrier?
   5. Which city had the first traffic light?
   6. Which state has the most miles of roads?
3. Buildings
   1. When was the first skyscraper built?
   2. What are the tallest buildings in the world?
   3. What material was used to construct the exterior oft the empire State Building?
   4. Which building has the largest nonair-supported clear span roof?
   5. Who invented the geodesic dome?
   6. How much does the leaning tower of Pisa lean?
   7. What is rammed earth?
   8. How many acres of trees are used in the construction of a single-family home?
   9. How does a chimmey differ from a flute?
4. Miscellaneous Structures
   1. Where is the highest dam in the United States and what is its capacity?
   2. How big is the Hoover Dam?
   3. What are the dimensions of the Eiffel Tower?
   4. Who invented the Ferris wheel and when?
   5. Where did roller coasters originate?
   6. How tall is the figure on the Statue of Liberty and how much does it weigh?