When steel became available, cables of steel wires replaced chains of wrought iron. Several suspension bridges built in this
manner collapsed, however, as a result of storms or the movement created by the rhythm of the loads moving across them. It
was later discoversd that these failures were caused by the lack of truss supports for the deck. The first major cable-type
suspension bridge to overcomg these faults was designed by John A.Roebling at Niagara Falls. Its span of 250 meters was
strengthened by trusses between the two decks. Roebling also used stays, inclined cables that ran from the main supporting
cables to the deck, to stabilize the bridge. Roebling went on to design the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, which was completed
in 1883 by his son, George Washington Roebling. The Booklyn bridge, with a span of 486 meters, is one of he most important-
and one of the most esthetically satisfying-bridges ever built. The mothod devised by the Roeblings for laying the Brooklyn
Bridge is essentially the same technique used today.
He evelopment of reinforces and prestressed concrete has given engineers other important materials for bridge building.
Concrete has been used particularly for relatively short-span bridges that are a part of freeway system. These bridges often
use precast concrete beams. Many arch bridges have also been constructed of concrete. Currently, the longest concrete arch
bridge is the Gladesville Bridge in Sydney, Australia. It has a span of 305meters, and its deck is above the arch.This is
another example of an esthetically pleasing bridge.
Many bridge that pass over rivers or canals must be movable so that shipping can pass under them. One type is the lift
bridge, with towers that can raise the entire span between them by means of counterbablances and electric motors. Another
type is the swing or pivot bridge, which pivots the span on a pier so that the bridge can swing openn parallel to the river
or canal. A third type is the bascule bridge, which has one or two arms that can open upward at an angle by means of
counterweights. A bascule with one arm is a single-leaf bridge, and with two arms it is a double-leaf bridge.
Bridge constuction can present extraordinry difficulties. Usually the foundations for the piers must rest on bedrock, and
often under water. One technique for working in these conditions is by means of a cofferdam. Piles usully made of
interlocking steel plates are driven into the water bed. The water is then pumped out from within the use area that been
enclosed。
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