Although bridges often go unnoticed, their function is essential to modern America. In the 1850s, covered wagons heading West had to ford streams or rivers. Without adequate bridges in place, the pioneers would sometimes travel many miles out of the way to find a safe place to cross a river. Other times they waited for days or weeks for flooded rivers to recede until it was safe to cross. Crossing rivers was a dangerous aspect of early travel. Narrow wheels sank into the muddy river bottoms, and the swift, unpre- dictable currents took a toll in lives and property.
Consider how long it would take to cross a river today if bridges were not included in the road systems. Consider how the movement of people, goods, and services would be affected without highway systems, which include bridges. The entire American economy as we know it would be stifled.
Early Bridges.
The earliest bridges consisted mainly of logs that had fallen or were placed across rivers. While inexpensive, they were less than reliable. Moving heavy loads across them was often impossible.Primitive bridges were nothing more than a cable of rope stretched across a river. People could cross, but the rope was not practical for moving heavy loads. These rope bridges were the fore- runners of modern suspension bridges.
Sophisticated rope bridges, like the one located in China and shown in Figure 3, are still used in many parts of the world. This particular bridge spans 1,800 feet. It allows light loads to be moved across the river.
While suitable for foot travel and pack,- animals, motorized traffic would have an impos- sible time crossing it. Imagine the effects of high winds on a rope suspension bridge like the one shown. .
See other combinations of truss bridges .
The stone arch bridge design is among the strongest and most durable. Stone is a naturally strong and enduring material for a bridge. In stone arch bridges, the stones are in compression (pressing against each other).
Bridges have come a long way since their early history. ... As a result, protection was added to the bridges. Wood trusses and joints were now protected as a result of the new type of bridge called the covered bridge. ... It is the longest covered bridge. ... The covered bridge might not be the greatest of bridges now, but it helped in the transportation of many things in the past. ...
The place I chose to go was to the Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz. ... The bridge connected by three arches that were carved out of sandstone cliff is what inspired the naming of the Natural Bridges. Waves" crashing into the walls of the cliffs is what created the bridge as well as other natural bridges. As time goes on, the bridges are slowly starting to erode and fade away. ... What made this visit a history learning experience was learning about the Ohlone Indians. ...
The Brooklyn Bridge. ... The 3,460-foot Brooklyn Bridge dominated the competition and was the longest suspension bridge in the world. ... As of now, the Brooklyn Bridge is the second busiest bridge in New York City. ... When and why was this bridge built? ... WHEN AND WHY TO BUILD The decision to build the bridge was made a certain point in history and with specific reasons. ...
These new rail bridges had to low, flat and strong. ... The second bridge I will talk about is the Forth Railway Bridge, across Scotland's Firth of Forth. ... In 1806 the idea of building a bridge was put forward. ... It was one of the worst bridge disasters in history, and Bough ideas were immediately discarded. ... The problem here was that most bridges that spanned this distance were suspension bridges, but it was obvious that in this case a suspension bridge would not be adequate. ...
On the time of completion the bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world. ... The bridge also served to transport a lot of immigrant workers to new York and Manhattan and is often referred to as the "immigrant bridge'. ... In the book, The Complete History of the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, it stated, "A few years ago Brooklyn was regarded only as "a dormitory of New York." ... The real estate boom that followed after the bridge was built was in itself a phenomenon. ... In addition, the bridge also offers a lot of employment opportunities for different kinds of workers who ar...
In the novel, The Bridge built over the river Drina transcends to become a symbol of this regional history and much more than a simple structural masterpiece. ... The resilience of the Bridge portrays the ultimate human tendency to adjust and move on. ... The bridge was erected and destined to be the platform for many drastic events such as the rebellious attempt of a worker, Radisav, to sabotage the progress of the bridge, which resulted in his public execution. ... Most of this transgressions often occurring on the bridge. ... The bridge over the Drina played a monumental roll in Bosnian his...
