For most bridges built over deep water, construction crews must build cofferdams or lower caissons into the water to create a dam and platform for the concrete towers to stand on. Lakes and riverbeds can be unstable, so crews may need to drive piles deep into the earth to achieve stability.
How Are Bridge Supports Built in Water?
Bridge supports in water are built using a variety of materials, techniques and engineering principles. Bridges are an essential part of infrastructure and must be constructed with strong, durable and reliable materials in order to stand the test of time.
Bridge supports are usually made from concrete, steel or timber, depending on the type of bridge and the conditions that the bridge must endure.
The most common type of bridge support is a pier, which is a vertical column of concrete, steel or timber that is built into the riverbed or lakebed.
Piers are typically set in concrete or steel piles that are driven into the riverbed or lakebed. Piers are designed to provide a stable platform for the bridge’s span.
Piers must be strong enough to support the weight of the bridge and its traffic, as well as the forces of the water. A cantilever is another type of bridge support.
Cantilevers are built with steel beams that are anchored to abutments and then extended out over the water. The cantilever provides the necessary support for the bridge’s span.
Cantilevers also provide a visual impact as they are often used to create aesthetically pleasing designs. Arch bridges are another type of bridge support. An arch
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