Types of Bridges

Types of Supported Bridges

Arch Bridge

• An arch bridge is a bridge that uses an arch as it's main structural component.
• These types of bridges can be made of one or multiple arches.
• These bridges are supported by its abutments and pillars which carry the weight of the entire bridge structure.
• Arch bridges can only be fixed [2].

Beam Bridge

• The beam bridge is the simplest and oldest type of bridge design.
• These types of bridges can be made of one or multiple beams.
• The vertical force applied on these types of bridges is turned into shear and flexural loads that are transferred to the abutments and piers.
• Beam bridges can be classified as girder bridges, plate girder bridges, box girder bridges, and simple beam bridges [2].

Truss Bridge

• The truss bridge is one of the most popular bridge design today.
• The truss bridge utilizes beams in a triangle shape above the deck of the bridge to distribute forces across the whole bridge structure.
• The beams used can endure dynamic forces of tension and compression. Through the entire structure this allows for the bridge to withstand much stronger forces and heavier loads than other bridges [2].

Cantilever Bridge

• The cantilever bridge supports the loads applied to the bridge through diagonal bracing with horizontal beams that are only supported on one end.
• Cantilever bridges use a pair of continuous spans between two piers [2].

Tied Arch Bridge

• Tied arch bridges are similar to arch bridges, however they transmit the weight of the bridge and the loads to the top chord which is connected to the bottom chords which are in the bridge foundation. 
• These bridges are uneconomical as their maintenance and repair cost is high [2].

Suspension Bridge

• Suspension bridges utilize the spreading of the large ropes or cables from vertical suspenders to support the weight of the  bridge and any loads that may be applied to the bridge.
• These types of bridges are able to support decks over large spans.
• Due to only abutments and piers being fixed to the ground this type of bridge is very flexible and can withstand wind, earthquakes and other natural forces that could cause collapse in other bridges [2].

Cable-Stayed Bridge

• Cable-stayed bridges utilize deck cable that are connected to vertical columns which are erected near abutments or in the middle of the span.
• These are different that suspension bridges as the decking in suspension bridges is held up with suspenders that connect to a main support cable [2].

Types of Fixed or Non-fixed Bridges

Fixed Bridge

• A fixed bridge is what the majority of bridges around the world are constructed as.
• They have no moveable parts, and are designed to stay in the same place where they are constructed until they are deemed unusable and demolished [2].

Temporary Bridge

• Temporary bridges are bridges that can be moved by medium or light machinery.
• This type of bridge is used in the military or when fixed bridges are being repaired.
• They are not meant to be used for prolonged periods of time [2].

Moveable Bridge

• Moveable bridges combines the strength, carrying capacity and durability of fixed bridges, and the flexibility and modularity of temporary bridges.
• They provide safe passage over the physical obstacle underneath the bridge with the ability to move out of the way of any vehicles, such as a boat, to pass through without hitting the bridge.

• These types of bridges usually utilize a simple truss or tied arch bridge design [2].

• For a video of a moveable bridge follow this link; https://player.vimeo.com/video/225528996 [13].

  Moveable Bridge [14]