Types by Materials

The core function of the bridge is to span a stable decking intended for
the transport of pedestrians, cars or trains while enduring weight of its
core structure, the weight of the traffic, and the natural forces that slowly
but surely erode its durability. Various materials can help bridge
designers to achieve their goal, and provide stable and long-lasting
bridges that require varying levels of maintenance (and in cases of
historic bridges, restorations). Here is the breakdown of all the common
types of materials that are used in historical and modern bridge building:

Natural Materials

Bridges of natural materials – The first bridges ever made were

constructed from unprocessed natural materials, starting from simple
wooden logs that were placed across small rivers or ditches, to the large
rope-tied bridges that are constructed over large canyons and mountain
ranges in inhospitable areas of Asia.

Wood

Wood (Wooden bridges) – Wood is an excellent material that can be

used for the creation of small to medium-sized bridges that are best
suited for pedestrian or low-weight car transport. In modern times,
wooden bridges are most commonly found for spanning short distances
or being used to transport people, cars, and livestock over rough terrain
or small rivers in Covered Bridges.

Stone

Stone (Stone bridges) – Stone is an excellent long-lasting natural

material that can be used for the construction of bridges that can last for
centuries. Stone pieces can even be used to construct very large bridge
structures that don’t even use concrete – such as in Pont du Gard
aqueduct in southern France that uses the weight of individual stones to
make an entire 48.8 m high and 275 m structure stable for two thousand
years.
Concrete and Steel

Concrete and Steel bridges – Durable, long-lasting and highly versatile

modern materials that are today used for the creation of countless types
of bridge designs. Coupled with the presence of cables and other
modern materials, these types of bridges represent the majority of all the
bridges that are currently in public pedestrian, car, and train transport
use today.

Advanced Materials

Bridges of advanced materials – As decades go on, modern industry

enables bridge builders to gain access to wide array of advanced
materials that offer noticeable advantages over traditional construction
processes.