Bridge
Structure designed to span obstacles such as rivers, roads, railways… to allow people or vehicles to cross over those obstacles
Forces stresses
Torsion, erosion, tension, compression
Main bridge types
Arch, suspension, cable-stayed, truss, beam
Elements that have to be taken into account when choosing a bridge design and erecting the bridge?
- function
- loads
- distance to span
- ground stability
- lifespan
- safety
- boat traffic
- access to the site (construction on the site or elsewhere)
Dead load
Intrisic weight of a structure
Live load
Weight of people or goods that the structure has to support
Environmental load
Load induced directly or indirectly by the environment : wind, waves…
Clearance
Space available under the bridge
Span
Length of a bridge between 2 supports
Hinge
Piece that allows rotation
Why do bridges collapse ?
Boat collision, overload, design error, corrosion, fatigue, scouring, poor maintenance, resonance, weather conditions
What are smart bridges ?
Bridges equipped with sensors that can detect joint mvt, changes in T, corrosion…
