Bridges can be classified as various types depending upon the following factors.
Types Of Bridges As Nature Of Superstructure Action
Bridges may be classified under this category as per follows:
Portal Frame Bridges
Truss Bridge
They are ideally suited for railway bridges. A truss is a structure made up of steel struts.
Balanced cantilever bridges
These bridges have decks divided into several suspended parts, simply supported or cantilever. These types of bridges can be designed as determinate structures.
Suspension bridges
This type of bridge is ideally suited for a very long span. The deck is suspended with cables in the suspension bridge. These cables are made from very high-strength material.
Cable-stayed bridges
In the past few decades, cable-stayed bridges become popular over suspension bridges due to their lower cost. They are aesthetically superior and also cost lower than suspension bridges for a long span and very long span.
Types Of Bridges As Per Material Used for Construction
Under this category, bridges may be classified as
Timber bridges
Masonry bridges
Steel bridges
Reinforced cement concrete bridges
Pre-Stressed Concrete Bridges
composite Bridges
Types Of Bridges As Per Alignment
Straight bridge
When a bridge is constructed at the right angle to the water flow and makes a right angle with river banks it is called a straight bridge. Straight bridge is often constructed to provide possible shortest distance between two places.
Skewed Bridge
When it is not possible to construct a bridge at the right angle to the river banks and the bridge makes an angle other than the right angle with the water flow it is called a skewed bridge.
This may be because of firm abutments construction is not possible at river bank.
According to the location of the bridge floor
Bridges could be classified as follows.
Deck bridge
Semi-trough bridge
Trough bridge
Types Of Bridges Based On The Purpose
As per purpose bridges are of following types.
Aqueduct
Viaduct
Highway Bridge
Railway bridge
Foot-Bridges
These are also known as pedestrian bridges or pedestrian overpasses. These are designed to carry only pedestrians.
Types Of Bridges Based On Position Of High Flood Level
Under this category, bridges could be divided into the following categories
Submersible Bridges
These types of bridges got submerged during the high flood level and become non-usable. During normal days this type of bridges are usable for vehicles.
Non-Submersible Bridges
Types Of Bridges Span Length
Under this category, bridges could be classified as
Culverts
It is a small bridge having a span of 6 meters or less.
Minor Bridges
Major Bridges
Long Span Bridges
Types Of Bridges As Per Degree Of Redundancy
Determinate beam bridges
Indeterminate beam
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Relevent Downloads
IRC:6-2017 [Loads and Load Combinations] PDF Download
IRC 112-2011 Code Of Practice For Concrete Rode Bridges [PDF Download]
IRC 5-2015 [PDF download]
External Resources For Bridge Engineers
Indian Institute Of Bridge Engineers
Bridge Engineers Association – America
FAQs
Russky bridge located in Vladivostok, Russia is the longest cable stayed bridge in world having span of 1104 meters.
Akashi Kaikyo bridge in Japan is the world’s longest suspension bridge having span of 1991 meters.