Bridge Engineering is one aspect of structural engineering.

Bridges are key structures that serve our communities in different

aspects. They are vital linkages for transportation networks but can
also become iconic symbols of a city. Bridges can be of different
materials, such as concrete, steel and timber, but also of different
types like trusses, arches, cable-stayed and suspension bridges.
Bridge designers need to find the most suitable bridge typology and
construction technique in order to make the design cost-competitive.

A Bridge is not designed for sustaining just the traffic loads. It is

also highly exposed to the environment. A bridge has to be designed to
“live” for at least 100 years and has to be designed for sustaining
loads induced by natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods and
tsunami.

Bridge Engineering – Components of Bridge Structures

A bridge is a structure providing passage over an obstacle without closing the way beneath. The
required passage may be for a road, a railway, pedestrians, a canal or a pipeline. The obstacle to be
crossed may be a river, a road, railway or a valley.

components of bridge
 Classification of Bridges

Classification of Bridges (According to form (or) type of superstructures)

1. Slab bridge
2. Beam bridge
3. Truss bridge
4. Arch bridge
5. Cable stayed (or )suspended bridge
 Classification of bridges (According to material of construction of superstructure)

1. Timber bridge
2. Concrete bridge
3. Stone  bridge
4. R.C.C bridge
5. Steel bridge
6. P.C.C bridge
7. Composite bridge
8. Aluminum bridge

Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge

 Classification of bridges (According to inter-span relationship)

1. Simply supported bridge
2. Cantilever  bridge
3. Continuous  bridge

 Classification of bridges (According to the position of the bridge floor relative to

superstructures)

1. Deck through bridge

2. Half through or suspension  bridge

 Classification according to method of connection of different part of superstructures

1. Pinned connection  bridge

2. Riveted connection  bridge
3. Welded connection  bridge
 New River Gorge Bridge made of weather resistant steel
According to length of bridge

1. Culvert  bridge(less than 6 m)

2. Minor bridge(less than 6 m-60m)
3. Major bridge(more than 60 m)
4. Long span bridge(more than 120 m)

According to function

1. Aqueduct bridge(canal over a river)

2. Viaduct(road or railway over a valley or river)
3. Pedestrian bridge
4. Highway bridge
5. Railway bridge
6. Road-cum-rail or pipe line bridge