Truss Bridge Research Paper

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A truss bridge is one that is composed of triangular patterns formed from either metal or wooden beams. Each individual member of the truss component of the bridge is subject to compression and tension from either ends of the actual structure. The top beam will always receive the most compression while the bottom beam receives the most tension. The triangular composition allows for the weight of the bridge and its load to be transferred because triangles are stable shapes. They have three lengths that will not change unless completely broken, so they cannot buckle and become another shape like squares. They are also cheaper to make than most shapes due to the fact that they have three sides and not four or six or eight. Triangles are therefore…show more content…
An example of trusses being underneath the roadway is the Mirabeau bridge in Paris, crossing the Seine. This is called a “deck truss.”An example of trusses being above the roadway is Shanghai's Waibaidu bridge. When this is the case, the truss is called a “through truss.” An example of the truss being beside the roadway is the Aldrich Change bridge. Erected in 1858 it was the oldest bridge in New York State. This type of bridge is called a “pony truss.” A deck truss is built to handle pushing and stretching forces from the roadway above. It operates similarly to an arch bridge because of the way it distributes the weight of the bridge from below, but arch bridges do not have any direct center support. A through truss and pony truss is built to handle pulling and stretching from the roadway below. A through truss helps suspend a bridge using the triangular structure beside and above the bridge. A pony truss is different because it has no lateral bracing like a through truss does. This type is not commonly used for road traffic because it is the weaker version of the

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