Suspension bridge
A suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck (the load-bearing portion) is hung below suspension cables on vertical suspenders. The first modern example of this type of bridge was the Wuppertal Suspension Bridge, designed by German engineer Eduard Haber in 1901, though simpler suspension bridges have been used since ancient times. The basic principles of the suspension bridge, including the use of cables to support the deck, have been used throughout history in a variety of different bridge designs.
The most common type of suspension bridge today is the cable-stayed bridge, which uses cables to support the deck directly rather than relying on suspension cables. These bridges are often used in situations where there is limited space, such as urban areas, or when regular maintenance is required, as they require less intrusive support structures.
Modern suspension bridges are built to withstand strong winds, earthquakes and other natural disasters. They are also designed to be efficient, with a light deck and heavy support structures, as well as allowing maximum use of their surface area. Suspension bridges often span distances from several hundred to several thousand feet.
Suspension bridges can be difficult and expensive to design and build, as their stability depends on the balance of forces between the deck, suspenders, and the cables. In addition, since the cables are located below the deck, they are exposed to water and corrosion and thus require special consideration during the design process.
Suspension bridges are often large, complex structures and require significant amounts of construction work. Before a bridge can be built, careful attention must be paid to issues such as soil composition, local climate conditions and the design of the bridge itself.
Due to their size and complexity, suspension bridges can often be extremely expensive to build. Even a relatively small bridge can cost millions of dollars, and the cost of a large bridge can easily exceed $1 billion.
Despite their expense, suspension bridges are some of the most impressive and iconic structures in the world. Suspension bridges are found throughout the globe, including some of the world’s most iconic structures such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, and the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge in Japan.
