Bridge Types
This bridge is flat, simple, and common for short distances.
Beam Bridge
This force pushes materials together.
Compression
This famous suspension bridge is in San Francisco.
Golden Gate Bridge
If a bridge bends in the middle, it may need more of this.
support
Engineers first identify this before building a solution.
the problem
This bridge uses a curved structure to carry loads.
Arch Bridge
This force pulls materials apart.
Tension
This arch bridge is located in St. Louis, Missouri.
Gateway Arch
Weak glue joints often fail at these connection points.
joints
This step involves making and testing a model.
prototyping
This bridge uses cables suspended from towers.
Suspension Bridge
This force causes sliding stress along materials.
Shear
This bridge in New York connects Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Bridge
If a bridge tips sideways, it may need a wider what?
a base
Changing a weak design after testing is called this.
redesigning
This bridge uses connected triangles for strength.
Truss Bridge
This force twists a structure.
Torsion
This bridge in London is often confused with London Bridge.
Tower Bridge
Too much weight can cause this type of failure.
collapse
A successful bridge must balance strength and this.
cost/material efficiency
This bridge type is usually best for the longest spans.
Suspension Bridge
Beam bridges often experience bending because of these combined forces.
Tension and compression
This famous truss/cantilever bridge crosses the Firth of Forth in Scotland.
Forth Bridge
If a truss breaks easily, it may need more of these shapes.
triangles
This process includes plan, build, test, and improve.
Engineering Design Process