Bridge Engineering Terms

The force that pulls materials apart, often found in cables or wires in bridge designs.

• Compression

• Tension

• Shear

• Bending

The flat surface of a bridge where vehicles and people travel. It supports the weight and connects the bridge's sides.

• Beam

• Deck

• Arch

• Truss

The plan or drawing that shows how the bridge will be built.

• Blueprint

• Design

• Sketch

• Model

An arrangement of parts that make up a whole, especially in engineering and architecture.

• Structure

• Framework

• Design

• Composition

The distance between two supports of a bridge.

• Span

• Arch

• Beam

• Truss

The point where two parts of the structure meet.

• Joint

• Connection

• Segment

• Node

A vertical support for a bridge, holding it above water or ground.

• Beam

• Pier

• Column

• Arch

The weight or force that a structure must support or carry.

• Load

• Weight

• Force

• Mass

Long, horizontal supports in a bridge that carry weight and provide stability. They help hold up the bridge deck and transfer loads to the supports or columns.

• Trusses

• Beams

• Arches

• Girders

The ability of a structure to remain upright and withstand forces without collapsing.

• Stability

• Fragility

• Flexibility

• Mobility