What is a Suspension Bridge?
The suspension bridge can span 2,000 to 7,000 feet — farther than any other type of bridge! A suspension bridge suspends the roadway from huge main cables that extend from one end of the bridge to the other. These cables rest on top of high towers and are secured at each end by anchorages. Most suspension bridges have a truss system beneath the roadway to resist bending and twisting. Forces Acting on a Suspension Bridge Click Here to see how forces act on a suspension bridge. What is a Cable Stayed Bridge? A Cable-stayed bridge looks similar to a suspension bridge, but the cables are attached directly to the towers instead of resting on. The towers of a cable stayed bridge bear the entire load. Wisconsin Suspension Bridges Suggest some Wisconsin Suspension Bridges!
A suspension bridge is a type of bridge which is built by suspending the roadway from cables attached to a master cable which runs above the length of the bridge. In addition to being strong and lightweight, suspension bridges are also beautiful, and some of the most famous bridges in the world are also suspension bridges, including San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge and New York’s Brooklyn Bridge. The design of a suspension bridge is simple and straightforward, and takes advantage of several techniques to distribute the weight of the bridge safely and evenly. The basic design of a suspension bridge has been in use for centuries: thousands of years ago, people crossed waterways and chasms by swinging hand over hand on suspended cables. Later, walkways were hung from the cables to make the process easier, and the original vines and ropes began to be replaced with chains. Major bridges were still built using a truss design until 1808, when an American inventor named James Finley f
