BASCULE BRIDGE

THE FUTURE SCENARIO.

OBJECTIVE
To develop a bascule bridge that will carry as
much weight as possible while weighing as
little as possible.
The bridge must easily open and close using
mechanical methods.

INTRODUCTION
Modern versions of the medieval draw bridge.
Selected for narrow to moderately wide
channels where unlimited vertical clearance is
required for navigation.
Balanced by a counterweight, which is fixed to
the girders and located below the roadway
Involves a combination of rotation and
translation.

PROS AND CONS

Lower cost, due to the absence of high piers
and long approaches.
Suitable for high water level channels
Disadvantage is that the traffic on the bridge
must be halted when it is opened for passages.
The length of the moveable portion is
restricted by engineering

DESCRIPTION
Built in many configurations.
Comprises of two longitudinal bascule girders,
or trusses, which support the roadway deck
framing.
A wide leaf may be supported by multiple
girders.

IMPLEMENTATION
Constructed with one or two leaves spanning the channel.
Bridge with two leaves known as double-leaf bascule.
Examples include Indianas three highway bridges.
The two leaves usually meet at the center of the
navigation channel.
A span drive and stabilizing machinery is required for the
moving of each leaf.
A shear transfer device is provided between the leaves of
the bridge to allow both leaves to share live load.

TYPE
The Rall combines rolling with longitudinal motion
on trunnions when opening.
The fixed-trunnion, where the bridge rotates around
a large axle to raise, and the rolling lift, which raises
by rolling on a track resembling the base of a
rocking chair.
Counterweights required to balance a bascule's span
may be located above or below the bridge deck.