Introduction to bridge engineering
The first bridges were made by nature — as simple as a log fallen across a stream. The first bridges made by humans were probably spans of wooden logs or planks and eventually stones, using a simple support and crossbeam arrangement. Most of these early bridges could not support heavy weights or withstand strong currents. It was these inadequacies which led to the development of better bridges.
The oldest surviving stone bridge in China is the Zhaozhou Bridge, built from 595 to 605 AD during the Sui Dynasty. This bridge is also historically significant as it is the world 's oldest open-spandrel stone segmental arch bridge. The first book on bridge engineering was written by Hubert Gautier in 1716. With the
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Arch bridges: Arch bridges pose a classic architecture and the oldest after the girder bridges. Unlike simple girder bridges, arches are well suited to the use of stone. Since the arch doesn’t require piers in the center so arches are good choices for crossing valleys and rivers. Arches can be one of the most beautiful bridge types. Arches use a curved structure which provides a high resistance to bending forces. Arches can only be used where the ground or foundation is solid and stable because unlike girder and truss bridges, both ends of an arch are fixed in the horizontal direction (i.e. no horizontal movement is allowed in the bearing). Thus when a load is placed on the bridge (e.g. a car passes over it) horizontal forces occur in t Structurally there are four basic arch …show more content…
Cable stayed bridges: A typical cable stayed bridge is a continuous girder with one or more towers erected above piers in the middle of the span. From these towers, cables stretch down diagonally (usually to both sides) and support the girder. Steel cables are extremely strong but very flexible. Cables are very economical as they allow a slender and lighter structure which is still able to span great distances. Though only a few cables are strong enough to support the entire bridge, their flexibility makes them weak to a force we rarely consider: the wind.
For longer span cable-stayed bridges, careful studies must be made to guarantee the stability of the cables and the bridge in the wind. The lighter weight of the bridge, though a disadvantage in a heavy wind, is an advantage during an earthquake. However, should uneven settling of the foundations occur during an earthquake or over time, the cable-stayed bridge can suffer damage so care must be taken in planning the foundations. The modern yet simple appearance of the cable-stayed bridge makes it an attractive and distinct
The East Coulee Train Bridge was built in 1936 to haul coal from the new Atlas and Murray Mines from the south side of the Red Deer River. The bridge cost $90,992.00, being a joint venture between Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways. As the market for Drumheller coal dwindled, road replaced rail as the main route for coal to reach market. Company trucks delivered coal to farmers and small villages.
Thousands of people drive and walk on the bridge over the bay in San Francisco every day. On May 27th 1937 the bridge opened for pedestrian traffic and the next day opened for vehicular traffic. Many people helped with the creating of the bridge and not all of them were engineers. Ben Loeterman is an award winning film maker, director and producer. “Former farmers, clerks, and taxicab drivers became high steel men” (Loeterman).
The Mackinac Bridge is an icon for the state of Michigan today. Connecting two small town cities, St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. It is the fifth longest suspension bridge on earth. Designed by David B. Steinmen, the Mackinac Bridge is the only connection between Michigan’s two peninsulas. Steinman set out to create a long, yet flexible design that could sustain Michigan’s harsh winters, heavy winds, and ever changing temperatures.
Officially finished on May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of America’s greatest achievements as it connected two very populous cities by land, allowing for better trade and travel. Though written differently, both “A Bridge for New York,” by Patricia Mayberry and “The Brooklyn Bridge,” from the Sun recognize the construction of the bridge as one of the most important engineering feats of the US. In “A Bridge for New York,” by Patricia Mayberry, the author elaborates more on the process of building the bridge and the hardships that had to be overcome in order for it to be built. In paragraph one, the author states, “This grueling project cost the health and even the lives of some of its builders.”
The Civil War caused a boom in the iron industry in which Carnegie took notice and at the same time, he went to work in Altoona, Pennsylvania where the Pennsylvania Railroad company was converting a wooden railroad bridge into stronger iron. Main reason for the drastic increase was transportation. These two components lead Carnegie to take his first major step as an entrepreneur. Carnegie organized together the designer of the bridge in Altoona as well as two business partners and his good friend Thomas Scott to develop the Keystone Bridge Company, with the intention of replacing wooden bridges in Pennsylvania with stronger and more modern iron. First task for Carnegie and his partners was to construct a railway bridge with a span of three
"Sure," Sofia whispered excitedly. I wanted to make sure that we created a strong base for our bridge. Also, beating the group next to us came to mind, since they were always infuriating Sofia and I. The first step we did was planning what we wanted our bridge to include, and what the design would look like. We began building the base of the bridge, and making sure it could support a lot of weight.
But that not it he choose to make the bridge out of steel which is very expensive and hard to make in bulk. Later it was a major success. Furthermore, when young Vanderbilt started out his career he sees a possibility in shipping with ships instead of carriages. He makes a very risky move by putting all of his money into boating, not knowing if it would work, or
The building of the bridge is under the management of Bradfield. 3 other men are also heavily involved in the design and construction of this bridge, Laurence Ennis (engineer and man-on-site supervisor), Edward Judge (chief technical engineer of Dorman Long) and Sir Ralph Freeman (designed the accepted model of the bridge in further detail). The unemployment rate is currently very high; it is hard for me to find work in order to support my family, which is why I have been helping build this amazing man-made bridge. The construction of the bridge helped me along with many other Aussie men remain employed, although now the construction of the bridge is over I am seeking for a new job.
In the novel Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, the bridge is a structure that connects the town and Antonio’s home, this symbolizes a connection between the two worlds of danger and safety. The bridge is described as a connection or link to the town and Anaya shows this when he writes, “I took confidence from its song, and wiping my tears from my eyes I raced towards the bridge, the link to the town” (Anaya 59). This quote shows us how the bridge is the structure connecting his home to the town. The town is an unfamiliar place for Antonio, the difference in the town is dangerous for Antonio and the familiarness of his home gives safety. The bridge is not just a literal bridge, but a passageway between to the worlds of safety and danger.
Not a Pedestrian Bridge My family rarely goes on elaborate vacations for various reasons. For one, my family isn’t very wealthy. We get by, we just don’t have enough extra to spend Christmas in New York or summer in Europe or anything. Our trips are usually in state, going a couple hours away to volunteer at a summer camp, driving up to Mackinac Island (where my parents worked for a few tourist seasons), or to Petoskey for a soccer tournament.
At the time one in four bridges built would fail and no one had ever attempted to build a bridge this large before, but Carnegie took on the challenge. Carnegie knew that there could be no rewards without risks and he put together a team of men to design the bridge. It would be called the Eads Bridge. (Source 8) Many concepts were scrapped and the design team soon realised that Iron was not strong enough to withstand the currents of the river. (Source 3) Carnegie knew that he would have to find something stronger than iron.
The Beam Bridge is simple and very inexpensive. A beam bridge consists of a horizontal beamthat is supported at each end by piers. The weight of the beam pushes straight down on thepiers. The beam has to be very strong so it doesn’t bend when added weight is applied. One ofthe disadvantages of the beam bridge is that it’s not the best type of bridge for long distances.
Introduction The intent of this experiment is to practice the scientific method, by constructing a bridge to bolster as many pennies as possible before it sags 1 1/8”, touching the desk. I hope to get a better perception of the scientific method by doing an experiment. I also hope to gain knowledge about the way bridges are structured to hold more weight. Based on my research, I know that the thicker the bridge is, the more weight it will bolster.
Notwithstanding the magnitude of the project and the technology available at the time, the building system adopted was designed specifically for the construction of a bridge. Caisson technology was used in order to dig the foundations of the bridge. Labourers excavated the riverbed in watertight retaining wood structures called caissons which were dropped into the river. Granite blocks pinned these wooden boxes down to the river floor. Compressed air was pumped into these chambers in order to keep the water and debris out.
After that, descriptions of serviceability, limit state, bar anchorage, and lap lengths in structural analysis are explained. In this chapter will also discuss on reinforced concrete beam including comparisons design principle based on BS 8110 and EC2. At the end of this chapter briefly mention about the findings from previous studies which will focus on the parameters differences of serviceability, limit state, bar anchorage, and lap lengths based on BS 8110 and EC