Bridges

Front

What is a bridge?

Back

A structure built to span a physical obstacle, such as a body of water, valley, or road, allowing for the passage of vehicles and pedestrians.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Front

What are the two main types of loads that a bridge must support?

Back

Dead load (the weight of the bridge itself) and live load (the weight of vehicles and pedestrians on the bridge).

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

Front

What is a dead load?

Back

The permanent static weight of the bridge structure itself, including materials like steel, concrete, and any other components.

Front

What is a live load?

Back

The dynamic weight that a bridge supports, which can change over time, such as vehicles, pedestrians, and environmental factors.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Front

What is tension in the context of bridge engineering?

Back

A force that pulls or stretches materials, often used in cables of suspension bridges to support loads.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

Front

What is compression in the context of bridge engineering?

Back

A force that pushes or compresses materials, often experienced by the arches and columns of a bridge.

Front

What is a suspension bridge?

Back

A type of bridge where the deck is hung below suspension cables that are strung between towers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Front

What is an arch bridge?

Back

A bridge that uses an arch-shaped structure to support loads, distributing weight evenly across the arch.

Front

What are buttresses?

Back

Structures built against a wall or arch to provide additional support and stability.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Front

What is a keystone?

Back

The central stone at the summit of an arch, locking the arch together and allowing it to bear weight.