Name: Date: Reading 2.

Types of Bridges
A bridge is a
structure that allows
people and vehicles to
travel over canyons,
roadways, rivers and
streams. Not all bridges
are built in the same way,
and not all bridges have the
same purpose.
Bridges are
structures that even early
civilizations made use of.
Early humans built bridges
from logs, branches and
stones. Bridges reaching
across larger bodies of
water or canyons were built using long, tough vines. Later on bridges began to be built
from materials like iron, and steel. There are different types of bridges that can be
found in various communities around the country and around the world.

Arch
An arch bridge is also an old bridge
design that has abutments which are
supports on the ground at both
ends. The arch is what makes the
bridge strong, and it allows the load
to spread out instead of pushing
straight down. Some arch bridges
will have multiple arches. An
example of an arch bridge is the
Chaotianmen Bridge which can be
found in China.
Beam
A beam bridge is the oldest and
most common type of bridge. It has
a support on either end and is a
horizontal structure. The
horizontal structure rests on the
beams on either end.
An everyday example of a beam
bridge is a highway bridge. Where
slabs of concrete are held up by
beams of concrete and steel.

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Name: Date: Reading 2.3

Types of Bridges
Suspension
A suspension bridge is a bridge that
has two pairs of pillars, one on
each side of the span, and has cables
that are between them. The bridge
deck is suspended from vertical
cables or rods known as
suspenders that are attached to the
main cables. The areas that takes all
of the weight on a suspension
bridge is called the deck.
A suspension bridge is typically
suspended from two high locations
over a river or canyon. An example
of a suspension bridge is the
Manhattan Bridge found in New
York City.
Truss
A truss bridge is a bridge that is
made up of a truss which is a
structure of connected elements
that form triangular units. A truss
bridge has a support pier on both
ends of the bridge and these piers
helps to support the bridge along
with strong bars that extend from
both sides of the bridge.
A truss bridge is stronger than a
beam bridge because the trusses
help to distribute the weight across
the bridge. The trusses will run
horizontally between each beam.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Bridges are important in our lives as they allow us
to safely travel from one place to another. Bridges can
also provide entertainment for others, such as with the
Capilano Suspension Bridge found in North Vancouver,
British Columbia. The Capilano Suspension Bridge
crosses the Capilano River. This bridge has a height of 70
metres above the ground, and it spans 140 metres. Each
year over 1.2 million visitors come to walk across the
bridge.
The Capilano Suspension Bridge was built in 1889
by a Scottish civil engineer named George Grant. The
bridge was originally made of hemp ropes with a deck of
cedar planks. However, in 1903, it was replaced with a
wire cable bridge.

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 Activity 2.12
Name: Date:

Types of Bridges
After you have completed the reading on the four types of bridges, complete the questions below by
interviewing a partner, and writing their responses to each question.

A. What is a bridge, and what is the purpose of a bridge?

Question #1

B. Explain the difference between two of the following: arch bridge, truss bridge, suspension bridge,
Question #2

and a beam bridge.

C. What impact do you think natural phenomena such as earthquakes, tornadoes, and flooding, can
have on the four types of bridges?
Question #3

D. Give an example of where each type of bridge can be found, or a world famous example of each of
the four types of bridges.
Suspension Bridge Arch Bridge Beam Bridge Truss Bridge
Question #4

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 Activity 2.13
Name: Date:

Building a Bridge
The Quebec Bridge:
The Quebec Bridge is a road, rail and pedestrian bridge that crosses the lower Saint Lawrence River. This
bridge is an example of a steel truss bridge that opened in December 1919. The bridge was scheduled to open
in the early 1900s, however, it is an example of a bridge who has had two design failures. The reason for the
first failure was because the actual weight of the bridge was far more than what it could actually carry.
Even though individuals tried to get the errors of the bridge noticed, the first design of the bridge collapsed
in 1907, and injured many workers. The second design failure came in 1916, when the central span for the
bridge was being lifted up to be put in place, and it fell into the river.

The Task:
Using the space below, reflect on what needs to be considered when building a structure like a bridge. Why is
it important to ensure that everything is in place, and is stable prior to allowing pedestrian, vehicle or train
use of the bridge?

© TeachinginaWonderland 74