Bridges can be classified as per various types depending upon the following factors
Classification 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
Nature of superstructure action
Bridges may be classified under this category as per follows:
Portal frame bridge
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 lower cost. They are aesthetically superior and also costs lower than suspension bridges for a long span and very long span.
As per alignment
Straight bridge
Skewed bridge
According to the location of the bridge floor
Bridges could be classified as follows.
Deck bridge
Semi-trough bridge
Trough bridge
Classification based on the purpose
As per purpose bridges are of following types
Aqueduct
Viaduct
Highway bridge
Railway bridge
Foot-bridge
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
Classification according to span length
Under this category, bridges could be classified as
Culverts
Minor bridges
Major bridges
Long span bridges
Classification 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]