There is a wide range of bridge styles both in this reality and in a fictional reality, the first part of the blog will focus on bridges from actual life while the second part of this blog will focus on Bridges from fictional works such as Halo and Harry Potter.
Types of Bridges:
Arch Bridge: An Arch Bridge uses a arch as it’s means of structural support, the arch can be found it too place often below the bridge or a above the bridge but this depends on what the architect wants the bridge to be able to support in means of weight. If you click the title of this section of bridges you will see some example of this style of bridge. A perfect example of an arch bridge is the Iron Bridge, which is made out of cast iron and the construction stated in November 1777 and ended in January 1781. The bridge originally took tolls when people or vehicles desired to cross the bridge but this ended in 1950 when the ownership of the bridge was changed.
Click here for some images of the Bridge
This Bridge design might be what I am looking for in my Bridge design because it can support a decent amount of weight and can blend in the environment that it is placed in quite effectively e.g. some Arch Bridges are made from a selection of stone so they blend in with the country side environment. The Arch Bridge style is also very appealing to the eye because they are often quite small in size unlike other bridge types and this type of style is perfect for various forms of narrative to occur.
Beam Bridge: A Beam Bridge is one of the most basic forms of bridges due to the fact that it uses several simple supports as it means of been support but these beams won’t have to be vertically aligned they can be in several different positions such as the supports can be placed incline or in a v formation (theses positions work just as effectively). A perfect example of this is the Albert Bridge that is located above the River Thames in London, the Bridge was built in 1873 by Rowland Mason Ordish and over the years it has been constantly upgraded by various owners. The bridge was also dubbed the trembling lady due to the fact that it vibrate that much due to a wide range of people walking across it. The Albert bridge also classes as a suspension bridge.
Click here for images of the Albert Bridge
This bridge design is a excellent for allowing important vehicles to cross uncross able terrain but at the same time it doesn’t look that appealing to the eye due to the fact that it stand out really easily, compared to some other bridge types but at the same time I could use this type of bridge quite effectively with futuristic type setting narrative if altered correctly, something I should consider.
Truss Bridge: A Truss Bridge is one of the most basic were they use posts called the king and queen posts as a means of holding up the bridge, the king posts been placed diagonal while been supported by two vertical beams/posts that run across the bridge called the Queen Beams. A perfect example of this is the Truss Bridges that can be found within Hull.
I may look into using this bridge type for my Bridge narrative due to the fact that it has a interesting design that might have some use in both a futuristic/intergalactic or a Medieval/Magic setting but it depends on what sort of narrative I looking for to be presented on this design.
Cantilever Bridges: Cantilever Bridges have a very similar appearance to Arch Bridges, because they supports are designed to have a very similar shape as that of Arch Bridges and like an Arch bridge theses arch shaped like supported bridges can be found both below the bridge and above. A perfect example of this type of bridges is the Forth Bridge, which is located above the Firth of Forth in Scotland. The Bridges construction started in 1882 and wasn’t completed until 1890. The bridge was considered the longest single Cantilver Bridge span until the Quebec bridge was complete in 1917. This bridge only supports trains.
This Bridge type doesn’t really catch my attention unfortunately due to the fact that I think it is too much of an eye sore and that it doesn’t seems to shine in the way I want it too when I look into it. Although it does support a large amount of transportation and people when been used theses types of bridges often are only used by Trains. There is one setting this bridge might belong in Narrative wise, I thinking a post-apocalyptic world were their are only a few human survivors left and it also involves zombies.
Tied Arch Bridges: Tied Arch Bridges are considered part of the Arch Bridge Family but unlike there counter parts they transfer the weight of the transport and people walking across it to the the wired cord in the middle of the bridge which is connected to the supports as well. They are also called Bowstring Arches.
Another Idea I can’t really see been used in any type of Narrative, Except maybe a Futuristic one where technology has flourished. Doesn’t look that appealing to me, but to a few others I asked it looks somewhat appealing to some current bridge designs and types you see these days.
Suspension Bridges: Theses Bridges are designed to be support by various ropes/cable in various locations across the bridge and are connected to the vertical suspenders of the bridge allowing them to supports tonnes of weight such as large amount of vehicle traffic. A Perfect Example of this type of Bridge is the Humber Bridge located above the River Hull Humberside. The bridge was originally built to reduce travel time for people trying to get to work on the other side of the river, as well as speed up the traffic flow because there used to be a water taxi to get across the River Humber. The Bridge was opened on the 24th June 1981 and later on the water taxi’s that where used to cross the river, where eventually decommissioned.
This design is one I might consider for my Bridge Project because it one of the most preferred Bridge designs for handling large amounts of Vehicle traffic and travelers because they can support the wide range of all the different weights that cross it without been strained. Another reason why I might consider using this type of bridge for my Bridge project is that the design of the actual bridge may be a slight eye sore but at the same time it scream safety because of the large amounts of supports the actual roads on the bridge actually have and at the same time it looks some what appealing.
Cable-Stayed Bridge: This type of Bridge is very similar to it’s relative the Suspension bridge because it used cables or ropes to help support it’s self but unlike it’s cousin this type of Bridge uses Double Decked Rope/Cable to support it’s self, that is connected to the columns in two ways, this is called harp style. A perfect example of this type of bridge is the Russky Bridge, which is located in Vladivostok and the Russky Island Russia above the Eastern Bosphorus Strait (A River). The Bridge was completed in July 2012 and is 1,104 meters long.
This idea i could use with some of the narrative ideas I am considering, mainly a futuristic based one where this type of bridge could be used on a artificially made planet to get people from point a to b. This idea not only seems like it would work with this style of bridge but it also looks appealing to the eye due to the fact that the monument looks unique in it’s appearance.
There are another three types that bridges are also divided into Fixed, Movable and Temporary.
Fixed: A Fixed Bridge are often Bridges have no parts are designed to move, this qualifies for a majority of bridges such as Arch Bridges and Suspension Bridges.
Temporary Bridges: Are Bridges that are made out of cheaper materials then regular materials as a temporary resorts to make a short time replacement route for vehicles or people until repairs or a new route/bridge can be made.
Movable: Are Bridges have movable parts due to the fact that they have a electrical current sent through them to move them. A perfect example of this is a Truss Bridge (Some can be electrically charged to move to allow crossing at different locations.
Bridges are also divided into several sections on what it’s primary focus is e.g. people or vehicle.
Car Traffic: A bridge specifically design to allow vehicles such as cars and trucks across it’s self and with stand different variations of Traffic.
Pedestrian: A Bridge Designed to focus specifically to focus on allowing Pedestrians to cross difficult terrain where vehicles can’t reach and are often found in cities to cross roads.
Train Bridges: Designed to allow one or more trains various multiple tracks across terrain tracks on their own wouldn’t be able to be placed on e.g. water.
Pipelines: Bridges designed to allow pipes such as gas, water, air and communication cables across difficult terrain to another location.
Commercial Bridges: Bridges that connect to shops and restaurants.
Here is a couple website that look into the type of bridges.
http://www.historyofbridges.com/facts-about-bridges/types-of-bridges/
Click to access fivebridgetypes.pdf
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/basics.html
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/79272/bridge
Bridges in Video Games:
There are several Video game bridges that I have looked at that are quite interesting to look at for design and narrative ideas in the future.
For example:
Halo: Bridges that are made out of a unknown energy that expands and recedes when the user wishes. Quite a Interesting method of creating a bridge by using a energy source that can be called forth on will and is not known for breaking easy but have been known to occasionally break when not used in a while. I can use something like this with one of my ideas.
Transformers Cybertron Video Game Series: Mechanical Bridges that are non-existent except when the user interfaces with the command panel or control pad and when they are the pad activates hidden metal underneath the pad transforms into the bridge, the pads are often located on both sides of the bridges. This is a interesting method of a bridge because unless you know how to activate the bridge you cannot by pass the terrain you want to.
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