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A TYPICAL SUSPENSION BRIDGE
V. Ryan © 2006 - 2009-2024
 
The Humber Bridge, UK is seen below. This was once the longest suspension bridge in the world. It is now the fifth longest in the world with a centre span of 1,410 metres (4,626 ft) and a total length of 2,220 metres (7,283 ft).
 
HUMBER BRIDGE, HUMBERSIDE, UK
 
 
 

A typical suspension bridge can be seen below. A suspension bridge is composed of a roadway (sometimes called a deck) suspended by steel cables. The four towers hold up the steel cables which in turn hold up the roadway.

   
 
 

This type of bridge is used where a wide gap / distanced is to be crossed and typical examples are the Golden Gate Suspension Bridge in San Francisco, the Akashi Kaikyo Suspension Bridge in Japan and the Humber Bridge in the UK. The Akashi Kaikyo suspension Bridge is over a distance of four miles in length and each tower is nearly as high as the Eiffel Tower (three hundred metres).

The steel cables are held in position by enormous concrete anchor blocks. These are at either end of the bridge. Each anchor block weighs more than the amount of cable it has to hold as well as a large proportion of the weight of the roadway. The anchor blocks must also be heavy enough to hold up the number of vehicles that are expected to be on the roadway at anytime.

   
 
   

The main steel cables are extremely thick. Each main cable is composed of smaller cables bound together to form an extremely strong single cable.

An example of the thickness/diameter of a main cable is seen opposite. The cables diameter equal to the height of the man.

   
 
 
THE FACTS
 
The deck is held by suspension cables (hangers). The main cables extend over the towers and are held securely at each anchorage.
The main suspension cables are a single length, spanning the length of the bridge (anchorage to anchorage). The vertical suspensions cables hold the deck in position.
The main suspension cables carry the weight of the deck, with the aid of the towers. The anchorages hold the structure in place.
Suspension bridges tend to be more expensive and time consuming to build, when compared to other cable systems. They need more cables that tend to be longer and heavier anchorages.
Suspension Bridges are ideal when a wide span is to be crossed.
Suspension bridges and cable stay bridges have their admirers, with the aesthetics of each type being appealing. The Suspension Bridge is regarded as more ‘graceful and elegant’ than the modern Cable Stay Bridge.
 
FAMOUS SUSPENSION BRIDGE
 
Golden Gate Bridge (USA) - Located in San Francisco, California, spans 1.7 miles.
Brooklyn Bridge (USA) - Connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York City, completed in 1883.
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (Japan) - is the longest suspension bridge in the world, main span of 1,991 metres (6,532 feet).
Humber Bridge (UK) - spans the Humber Estuary in England.
Tower Bridge (UK) - Located in London, a combined bascule and suspension bridge.
 
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