Arch Bridges-project-5/6H

Arch Bridges
By:Nazifa Kashem
5/6H
Introduction
Did you know that the longest arch bridge in the world is the Chaotianmen Bridge is the longest arch bridge in the world? It's total length is 1,741m and is situated in China. Arch Bridges are one of the most oldest and one of the most unique types of bridges because of their extraordinary semicircle design. One very well-known arch bridge in Australia is the amazing Sydney Harbour Bridge. Arch bridges have been around for more than 2000 thousand years. They were very popular because of their amazing heights, before and still is. Because of the industrial revolution that evolved and more modern materials were made which enabled architects to create other modern bridge designs, the arches of bridges can be built on much larger scales.


The Basic Structure of an Arch Bridge
The basic structure of an arch bridge is its curved design and the supports at the two ends. Instead of pushing straight down, the weight of an arch bridge is conveyed outwards along the curve of the arch to the supports at each end. The weight is then transferred to the supports at either end. These supports are called abutments. These abutments carry the weight of the bridge and prevents the bridge from spreading out.
This is a very simple arch Bridge.
Did you know that the Sydney Harbour Bridge is 1,149m long?