Beam Bridges Basics:

• the oldest known bridges

• consist of vertical supports called piers that hold up a horizontal beam.

• The strength of the roadway determines the number of piers needed.

• can be long, but the span between piers is small

Advantages of Beam Bridges:

• a simple design which makes them easy to build.

• have a long span length

• require fewer piers compared to other bridge types

• a cost-effective and efficient choice for crossing rivers and valleys

Disadvantages of Beam Bridges:

• large ships or heavy boat traffic cannot pass underneath;

• design generally not considered interesting or eye-catching

Forces at Play: Compression

• Compression squeezes parts of bridge together

• Caused as live loads, such as cars and trucks, travel across.

• The top and piers in the bridge are compressed

Forces at Play: Tension

• tension is when forces try to pull apart a material

• the top of the roadway experiences a tension force.

• It is crucial for the bridge's stability and load-bearing capacity.

Beam Bridges Summary:

• A beam bridge is a type of bridge that has a horizontal platform that is supported by vertical piers

• beams of a beam bridge are typically made of steel, concrete, or wood.

• Beam bridges are commonly used for short to medium spans, ranging from a few meters to a few hundred meters.

Beam Bridges Summary:

• They are cost-effective and relatively easy to construct.

• Beam bridges can be found all over the world, including the famous Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana, which is the longest beam bridge in the world.