The Types of Bridges

Bridges are essential when it comes to passing all kind of gaps/spans for civil engineers so the types of bridges as well. When we have discussed any kind and any types of bridges there can be complications especially with the less experienced civil engineers, even I had confusions in the past, moreover if English is not your native language it can be more confusing. These days I am preparing some documentation about my professional engineering career and I have found these drawings. They are showing clearly the types of the bridges in the simplest way.

The drawing above shows the 4 main types of bridges, even LOADs, SUPPORT and COMPRESSION Points.

The 4 Main Types of Bridges:

1. Beam Bridges: This type of bridges are mostly chosen also cost effective based on the performance. Can be built in different spans based on the design. Especially chosen for the ease of construction.
2. Truss Bridges: You will remember them from the western movies, the railroad bridges … 🙂 But be careful about the maintenance part.
3.  Arch Bridges: Visually my favourite but the foundations need to be firm. Commonly used in the old world by the Roman Empire especially for water transportation, I have seen marvellous stone arch bridges.
4. Suspension Bridges: If you have to pass long spans this is the type you are going to use but not cost friendly as beam bridges.

The drawing below shows more detailed bridges like floating bridges, bascule bridges and etc.

My main purpose is to make a small base for engineers looking for types of the bridges, at least having an idea about them.

We can use more detailed drawings and bridges but my aim is to keep the list as simple and less confusing as it can be.

The List of Bridges