Engineering Marvels: The World of Bridges

What is the primary purpose of bridges?

• To create jobs

• To allow people to get from point A to point B

• To look aesthetically pleasing

• To serve as landmarks

Which three main forces must be balanced for a bridge's stability?

• Tension, compression, and load

• Pressure, heat, and cold

• Gravity, magnetism, and friction

• Electricity, magnetism, and light

What is the first step in constructing a bridge?

• Laying the foundations

• Constructing the superstructure

• Building the deck

• Assembling the substructure

Why have arch bridges been popular for millennia?

• Because they are expensive to construct

• They can only be built over small bodies of water

• They require advanced technology to build

• They are strong and relatively cheap to construct

What is a key feature of beam bridges?

• They are supported by a series of arches

• They consist of horizontal beams supported by piers

• They use cables to suspend the deck

• They can span distances of over 1000 feet without supports

What distinguishes truss bridges from beam bridges?

• They feature a series of triangular supports

• They are made entirely of concrete

• They are primarily used for pedestrian traffic

• They cannot handle heavy loads

How do cantilever bridges remain stable?

• By being supported only on one end

• With the help of floating pontoons

• By using a central tower for support

• Through the use of underwater cables

What is a unique feature of suspension bridges?

• They can only span short distances

• They are built entirely on land before being moved to their final location

• They use main cables attached to towers to support the deck

• They are the cheapest type of bridge to build

How do cable-stayed bridges differ from suspension bridges?

• Cable-stayed bridges use wooden towers for support

• Suspension bridges are more flexible and light

• The cables attach directly to the towers in cable-stayed bridges

• Cable-stayed bridges cannot span as long distances

What makes movable bridges unique among bridge types?

• They are made entirely of glass

• They are the oldest type of bridge

• They use solar power to operate

• They can change their shape to allow ships to pass