LIFTINGDEVICES.docVIP

Civil Structures Bridges are used by pedestrians, animals and vehicles to span gaps. They make the journey safer, quicker or shorter. Bridges may be loaded with compressive forces, tensile forces, torsional forces, and shear forces. The forces may be applied as dead load (weight-force of bridge), live load (load frequently changes, i.e. traffic), impact load, and environmental load. Historical and societal influences Historical developments Beam bridges: Can be simply supported or cantilevered Truss bridges are composed of connected members which are stretched in compression or tension, triangles are constructed as they are most rigid shape Opening bridges used to allow water vehicles to pass Arch bridges Forces members into compression therefore directing the forces onto abutments Suspension bridges Support the deck on tensioned cables strung between support towers Tension members don’t buckle so they can be thin and light, enabling longer spanning bridges Fin-shaped box-section deck enabled less wind impact and lighter bridge Engineering innovation in civil structures and effect on peoples lives Primitive beam and suspension bridges in jungles Beam ridges in ancient times for human and animal transport Romans revolutionarily developed arch bridges which was more stable and secure, improved transport, did not impede water traffic Truss girder in 16th century improves beam bridge design which was longer spanning, greater safety, less pylons Modern suspension bridge in 19th century which was even longer spanning and little impediment to water traffic 20th century first box girder which enabled freeway construction, beneficial for road freight First modern balanced cantilever bridges which limited water traffic impediment and had an effective use of materials Steel cables in suspension bridge (Brooklyn Bridge) Concrete very commonly used for arch bridges, altering bridge design significantly Construction and processing materials used in civil structures o