Suspension bridges support weight through the use of cables that help to hold a roadway or pathway in place. The main cables of the suspension bridge are pulled across and then connected to towers that span the length of the bridge. More cables are then added to hang vertically from the main cables so that the roadway or pathway is held in place. It’s a construction technique that dates back over 1,400 years and there are some definite advantages and disadvantages to the building of a suspension bridge.
Here Are the Pros of a Suspension Bridge
1. They are budget friendly to build.
Suspension bridges typically need only a minimum amount of materials to be created. This makes them the perfect solution for communities who need a bridge, but don’t necessarily have the funds to build other types of bridges. In return, they can create a bridge that looks nice visually and functions well from a practical standpoint.
2. They are incredibly versatile.
Suspension bridges can be built in virtually any location. As long as support towers can be installed for the bridge, a roadway or pathway can be effectively installed as well. This allows the suspension bridge to be able to cover a large distance without the need for inflow restrictor being placed underneath it.
3. They are easy to maintain.
Once a suspension bridges in place, there are a minimum amount of materials required to maintain in order to keep the integrity of the bridge in place. This cuts down a communities ongoing cost for a needed bridge.
Here Are the Cons of a Suspension Bridge
1. They are remarkably flexible.
Suspension bridges need to be flexible enough to move with the wind, but not so flexible that they break. Because movement needs to be applied to the bridge, the cable system will move in windy conditions. Any transportation option that needs a stiff platform cannot use a suspension bridge because of this fact.
2. It restricts local access during construction.
Roadway panels are typically lifted from the bottom up while suspension bridges being built and this can limit access to waterways or highways that will be underneath the bridge. For transportation systems that carry a lot of traffic, this could create a large impact on a local economy.
3. There are load limitations.
Suspension bridges can only withstand a certain amount of weight. This means only a certain type of traffic can generally cross a suspension bridge. For some communities, this may limit access options to their region at large because only a certain amount of the population can cross the bridge at any given moment.
Suspension bridges are wonderful engineering innovation that come with certain challenges, but also many rewards. By evaluating the pros and cons of installing a bridge like this, every community can decide if all of the costs are worth the reward of a completed suspension bridge at the end of the day.
