Career opportunity

 You are a proud junior member of “Bridging the gap”

an up and coming engineering firm.

 You have been commissioned to approve the

construction of a new bridge to be built using 19th
century techniques.

 Before approving the construction site, you request

help from senior members Alexander Ross and
Robert Stephenson who have been in the company
since 1854 (really senior members).

 What should you consider before approving the

construction site?
What could be considered?

 What are the characteristics of

the site? (elevation, depth of
water, current, ice-pack)
 What is the purpose of the
bridge?
 How big is the expanse of
water to be crossed?
 What kind of bridge to build?
Potential Site

Port

 Using the topographic map above, what information

can you gather about the environment?
Purpose of the bridge
 The bridge must
 Allow for steam engine trains to cross the
river bringing cargo to and from the port
Types of bridges
 Yourcompany is currently looking at 3
major designs popular in the 1850’s:
 Suspension bridge
 Wooden Trestle bridge

 Metal bridge

Which type of bridge would you suggest and

why?
Engineering Side notes
 Bridges will always undergo a certain amount
of constraints such as…
 Compression
 Occurs when a material has a tendency to be crushed or
squeezed due to the effects of external forces on an
object.
 Tension
 Occurs when a material has a tendency to stretch due to
the effects of external forces on an object.
 Torsion
 Occurs when a material undergoes forces that tend to
twist it.
Option 1: Suspension Bridge
Characteristics
 Modern Suspension bridges
can span up to 2 km

 Suspension bridges get their name from

the deck (roadway, rails) that is suspended
by cables strung across the river.

 Often a truss or trellis structure provides

extra support against rippling
How does it work?
1. As the train advances on the bridge, its gravitational
force causes the bridge to bend

2. This causes the cables to undergo tension as they “stretch” to

hold up the bridge.
3.Subsequently, the towers, firmly anchored in the ground,
will undergo compression, holding up the bridge.
Considerations
 What are some of the elements that
should be considered when building a
suspension bridge?
a) The length of the bridge
b) The weight of the cargo
c) The vibrations
d) all of the above
Answer:
d) all of the above
 Althoughthe particular region is not
renown for its wind, suspension bridges
can also have problems with torsion
when there is constant vibrations.

 E.g. Galloping Gertie

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mclp9QmCGs
Option 1:
Suspension Bridges

1852, St-John’s Newfoundland

www.bridgemeister.com
 Based on your site, what are the advantages of this type of bridge?
 Based on your site, what are the disadvantages of this type of bridge?
Option 2: Wooden Trestle Bridge
Characteristics
 Highly inexpensive, due
to the abundance of lumber
found in the region

 A trestle is a rigid framework that

distributes the weight of overhead objects.
Considerations
 What is the most important element that
one should consider when building a
wooden trellis bridge?
a) Duration of material
b) Cost of the bridge
c) Weight of the cargo
d) all of the above
Answer:
a) Duration of the material
 In the 19th century, most of the train tracks
were laid over trestle structures to cross
rivers and swamps.

 Although the material was inexpensive at the

time, wood does require constant
maintenance.

 On average, an untreated trestle bridge lasts

15 years.
 Option 2:
Trestle Bridge

 Based on your site, what are the advantages of this type of bridge?
 Based on your site, what are the disadvantages of this type of bridge?
Option 3: Metal Tubular Bridge
Characteristics
 The Tubular bridge was used in Europe and
America for a brief span in the 1800’s.

 Tubular bridges get their name from their

appearance. The train basically travels
through the middle of a tube made of cast
iron.
How does it work?
 Toreduce the amount of deflection
(bending), the tubular bridge has many
spans.
Engineering Side Note…
 Deflection is another type of constraint
commonly seen in bridges.
 Deflection occurs when a material is
subjected to forces that tend to make it
bend.
Considerations
 What are some of the elements that
should be considered when building a
tubular bridge?
a) The length of the bridge
b) The type of engine used
c) The material used
d) all of the above
Answer: d)
 The length of the bridge is highly
important. Depending on the material
used, it will dictate how many sections
are required.

 The type of engine used in the 1850’s is

the steam engine. This type of train is
fuel by the combustion of wood.
Option 3:
Tubular Bridge

Construction of the Victoria Bridge

 Based on your site, what are the advantages of this type of bridge?
 Based on your site, what are the disadvantages of this type of bridge?
Your Recommendations…
Your Recommendations:
 Where would you recommend the
bridge be built? Explain why.
Your Recommendations:
 Whattype of bridge would you
suggest? Explain why.