quot;How Bridges Work"
We are a species of bridge builders. Since time out of mind, humans have engineered structures to surmount obstacles, such as, say, Jiaozhou Bay. The body of water is now home to a 26.4-mile (42.5-kilometer) bridge that links the busy Chinese port city of Quingdao to the Chinese suburb of Huangdou. We've tamed steel, stone, lumber and even living vegetation, all in an effort to reach the places, people and things we desire. Although the concept itself is as simple as felling a tree across a creek, bridge design and construction entails serious ingenuity. As a result, we inhabit a planet of bridges, some as ancient as Greece's 3,000-year-old Arkadiko bridge or as unchanged as India's 500-year-old Meghalaya living bridges, which are coaxed into existence from growing tree roots (more on that later). In this article, we'll get to know the bridges we so often take for granted (we literally walk and drive all over them), as well as the designs that make them possible.
BUILDING BIG: Webography: Bridges
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge The Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Authority provides facts, figures, illustrations, photographs, and a comprehensive history of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Brooklyn Bridge Get the facts on this famous bridge, check out old and new photos, and read up on some interesting tidbits about the bridge. Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Review a brief history, including photographs, of this unique structure. Engines of Our Ingenuity Learn more about the history of the Firth of Forth Bridge with this interesting essay. Golden Gate Bridge Includes information, a photo library, and a wealth of historical statistics about the Golden Gate Bridge Ironbridge Gorge Museum Includes facts, photographs, a brief history, and virtual tour of the Ironbridge Gorge New River Gorge Bridge The National Park Service outlines a brief history and provides photographs of this unique bridge. Bridge Clearinghouse Everything you ever wanted to know about bridges, but were afraid to ask
Engineering a Bridge
This lesson will involve your students in geometry and measurement as they work as civil engineers to design and build their own bridge. OBJECTIVE Students will be able to: Identify how geometry affects bridge design and function and apply that knowledge to the design and construction of a bridge. MATERIALS Elmer's Foam board, Popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, bendable rods, Elmer's Glue All, paper, pushpins, weightsEngineering a Bridge PDF SET UP AND PREPAREContent Introduction When engineers design a bridge, they must consider how the bridge will be used, how long and wide it should be, and how much weight it has to hold. There are four main types of bridges: Beam bridges are made of horizontal beams supported by piers at each end.Truss bridges are a combination of triangles made of steel. Essential Questions Use these essential questions to help guide students' thinking: How does geometry help engineers build bridges? Craft Component: Bridge Engineering (20 minutes)
History of Bridges - Tunnels and Bridges History
NOVA - Official Website | Build a Bridge
Websites American Society of Civil Engineers A site for engineering professionals with information on publications, job openings, educational programs, conferences, and other industry resources. Association for Bridge Construction and Design Learn about the activities of this organization devoted to improving the science of bridge design, construction, and maintenance. Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute This organization is dedicated to fostering greater understanding and use of precast/prestressed concrete. The Clark Bridge, Alton Illinois A photo history of the bridge featured in the NOVA program Super Bridge. Figg Engineering Group, Hanson Professional Services These two companies are the engineers of record for the Clark Bridge. Golden Gate Bridge Read about the history of the Golden Gate Bridge and take a virtual stroll from the Marin side of the bridge across to San Francisco. Books Billington, David P. 1985. Leonhardt, Fritz. 1990.
Geometry of Bridge Construction
The four kinds of bridges and some combinations A. The beam or truss bridge is, in effect, a pair of girders supporting a deck spanning the gap between two piers. Such a beam has to withstand both compression in its upper parts and tension in its lower parts. Where it passes over supports, other forces come into play. A beam may be a hollow box girder or an open frame or truss. B. An early history of bridge buildingThe Romans' legacy to bridge building was the heavy masonry arch bridge, hundreds of which were built throughout Europe.
The London Millennium Bridge
