Forces
What is a force?
A push or pull that acts on an object.
A straight, flat bridge that is supported at each end. It is the simplest type of bridge.
A Beam Bridge
The flat part of the bridge that people and cars travel on is called the
The deck
A bridge made of many connected triangles. The triangle shapes make it very strong.
Truss Bridge
This material is used in many old and modern bridges and is known for being very strong in compression.
Concrete
What does the Compression Force do?
It is a pushing force
A bridge shaped like a curved arch. The curve pushes weight outward to the supports on each side.
An Arch Bridge
The tall vertical supports that hold up a suspension bridge’s cables are called
Towers
A bridge with an arch on top and a deck that is “tied” together underneath to hold the arch in place.
Tied Arch Bridge
This strong, shiny material is often used to build modern bridges and is made from iron mixed with carbon.
Steel
What does the Tension Force do?
It is a pulling force.
A bridge where the deck hangs from strong cables that are attached to tall towers.
Suspension Bridge
The strong supports at each end of a bridge that hold up the ends of the structure are called
Abutments
A bridge that can lift up like a seesaw to let boats pass underneath. It usually has a counterweight that helps it move.
A Drawbridge (Bascule) bridge
This natural building material is made from trees and was commonly used in early bridges.
Wood
What does the Torsion Force do?
It is a twisting force
A bridge where cables run directly from tall towers down to the road, holding it up.
Cable-Stayed Bridge
Strong vertical support that holds up a bridge and transfers its weight down into the ground or water below.
Piers
A bridge that floats on top of water using boats or floating platforms underneath it. It moves slightly with the water.
Pontoon (Floating) Bridge
This material is used inside concrete to make it stronger and help it resist tension.
Rebar
What is a Shear Force
Pushes the object in opposite directions
A bridge built using arms that extend from both sides and meet in the middle without support underneath.
Cantilever Bridge
This is the structural element that carries loads along the length of a bridge and transfers them to supports; it can be a beam shaped like an I or hollow box.
Girder
A bridge that rotates sideways (like turning on a pivot in the middle) to open a path for boats.
Swing Bridge
This material is strong, flexible, and often used for cables in suspension bridges.
Steel Cable