There are different types of bridges to support different types of load. Below we list them one by one.

arch bridges

These bridges use the arch as the main structural component. They are made with one or more hinges, depending on what type of load and stress forces they must withstand. Examples of arch bridges are "Old Bridge" in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Hell's Gate Bridge in New York.

Puente de arco

• Advantages::
  • They allow the use of simple materials, such as stone and similar, cement, filling materials, mass concrete (not reinforced), brick, etc. (Roman and medieval times).
  • Starting in the 19th century, iron began to be used.
  • They are suitable in sites capable of providing good resistance to horizontal thrust.
  • They can be used to bridge large distances by building them with a series of successive arches.
• Disadvantages::
  • Stone and many similar materials are strong in compression stresses, but not very resistant to tensile stresses, which is why many arch bridges are designed to work in compression.

Beam bridges

Very basic type of bridges supported by several crossbars of various shapes and sizes. They can be inclined or V-shaped. An example of a girder bridge is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in southern Louisiana.

Puente de vigas

Truss bridges

Very popular bridge designs that use diagonal mesh of posts over the bridge. The two most common designs are main posts (two diagonal posts supported by a single vertical column in the center) and main posts (two diagonal posts, two vertical posts, and horizontal posts connecting two vertical posts at the top).

Puente de armadura

Hanging bridges

They are bridges supported by an inverted arch formed by numerous steel cables, from which the bridge deck is suspended by vertical braces. Like the arch bridge, it is a bridge that resists thanks to its shape. The main forces in this type of bridge are traction in the main cables and compression in the pillars.

• Advantages::
  • The central span can be very long in relation to the amount of material used.
  • They can have the platform at a high height allowing the passage of very tall ships.
  • No central supports are needed during its construction, allowing its construction on deep canyons, bodies of water with a lot of maritime traffic...
  • It can flex under severe winds and earthquakes (a stiffer bridge should be stronger).
• Disadvantages::
  • In conditions of strong winds or turbulence it becomes impassable due to lack of rigidity.
  • Under high wind loads, the towers exert a large moment (curving force) on the ground, and require a large foundation when working in weak soils, which is expensive.

Tied Arch Bridges

Similar to arch bridges, but transfer the bridge weight and traffic load to the upper chord which is connected to the lower chords at the base of the bridge. They are often called bowstring bows or bowstring bows.

Puente de arco atado

Tied Arch Bridges

Similar to arch bridges, but transfer the bridge weight and traffic load to the upper chord which is connected to the lower chords at the base of the bridge. They are often called bowstring bows or bowstring bows.

Puente de suspensión

cantilever bridges

Similar in appearance to arch bridges, but they support their load not through the vertical supports but through the diagonal bracing. They often use truss formation both below and above the bridge. An example of a cantilever bridge is the Queensboro Bridge in New York City.

Puente voladizo

There are more variations and new methodologies that we are going to update in this publication.