Bridges made of beams. Beam bridges are the oldest and most basic kind of bridges, consisting of vertical piers and horizontal beams (e.g., just a simple plank or stone slab). They are only ideal for small spans, but by building additional piers, they may be utilized for greater bridges. See also suspension bridge, cable-stayed bridge, and deck truss bridge.
Beam bridges are easy to build and can be constructed in many different designs using only basic tools. They are particularly useful for creating cross-overs where there is not enough space for a full-size bridge, such as over creeks, streams, or narrow ravines. Beams can also be used to create footbridges for short paths or to connect two larger structures together.
The main advantage of beam bridges is their flexibility in design. Since they use only horizontal members to support vertical loads, they can be built in almost any shape to meet specific design requirements. For example, they are commonly used when a bridge needs to span a large opening (such as the gap between two buildings), but not quite big enough to support a full-sized structure. In addition, beams can be arranged in parallel or perpendicular configurations to achieve the required load-bearing capacity. Finally, they require very little maintenance: simply clean away any dirt or debris that may collect under the feet of the bridge users.
Bridge made of beams Bridge made of beams A beam bridge, sometimes known as a "girder" bridge, is the most basic and least expensive type of bridge. "They're basically the vanillas of the bridge business," says Craig Finley of Finley/McNary Engineering. A beam bridge, in its most basic form, consists of a horizontal beam supported at either end by piers. The beam may be single or double, but usually is made of wood. It provides a firm base for any further structure built on it. Piers are large, solid stones or concrete blocks used as support for a bridge. They can be used instead of beams if you want to save money.
Beam bridges are very common and easy to build. They are also quite strong and can carry heavy loads, so they are suitable for roads that get lots of traffic. However, they are not particularly attractive and if you want a more sophisticated-looking bridge, you will need to add some features to them. For example, if you want the beam bridge to have parapets on both sides (see below), this will require some kind of support at each end of the beam.
The next type of bridge is called a "stringer" bridge. These look similar to a beam bridge but with no horizontal member connecting the two vertical ones. The deck is therefore held only by the pillars at each end. Stringer bridges are less expensive to build than full-height bridges because they use pre-made components that don't need to be custom-made for your exact needs.
The Beam Bridge A beam bridge, sometimes known as a "girder" bridge, is the most basic and least expensive type of bridge. The monument commemorating America's first president is still the highest stone edifice and obelisk in the world. The Washington Monument, which reopened on September 19, 2019, has boosted tourist expectations with a new state-of-the-art elevator that will efficiently take hundreds of people up to the observation deck daily. The elevator replaces an aging metal cage system that frequently stopped operating due to mechanical problems.
Other than its simplicity, a beam bridge's main advantage is its low cost. A typical beam bridge may be built for as little as $25,000. However, because they are not designed to carry any load other than their own weight, beam bridges can only support one lane of traffic in each direction. They are also very susceptible to wind damage. For these reasons, beam bridges are usually replaced by more expensive concrete or steel bridges if they are expected to carry any significant load or if additional strength is needed.
Beam bridges are commonly used where site conditions don't allow for the construction of a larger bridge. For example, they are often used as footbridges, bike paths, and cross-country ski trails because they don't require special engineering designs like those for road bridges. In recent years, beam bridges have been replacing old wooden bridges across rural waterways due to their environmental benefits. Since they are made of steel instead of wood, they do not decay like the older bridges do over time.
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