A cantilever bridge is a type of bridge where the bridge deck is upheld by horizontal cantilevers. Anchored at one end, the cantilevers protrude outward. The bridge deck is supported on top of two arms or spans that extend outward from either sides of a tower or pier to form the cantilever bridge.
The cantilever bridge, without having intermediary supports or piers, covers greater lengths than other bridge types, such as the beam or arch bridges. This makes it especially helpful for crossing wide bodies of water, like rivers or ports, where building intermediate supports is challenging.
The cantilever bridges have been in use for more than a century now. They are also frequently employed in the construction of modern bridges, especially long-span bridges and bridges that must be able to handle huge weights such as the railway or the highway bridges.
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See also: What are arch bridges?
Cantilever bridge: Advantages
- Strong: The cantilever bridges have a reputation for being strong and long-lasting. They can hold enormous loads without collapsing and can span vast distances without sagging since they do not rely on intermediary supports.
- Cost-effective: Although building a cantilever bridge can be expensive, it is frequently more affordable to build one than a suspension bridge or a cable-stayed bridge. This is due to the fact that they need fewer materials and are often simpler to build.
- Flexible: They can endure severe weather and natural calamities like earthquakes and strong winds because they can withstand forces coming from various directions.
- Easy to maintain: Simple and basic construction makes the cantilever bridges relatively simple to maintain and repair.
Cantilever bridge structure in India
Howrah Bridge
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The Howrah Bridge, also referred to as the Rabindra Setu, spans the Hooghly River in Kolkata. It is one the biggest cantilever structures in the world with a length of 705 m and a width of 97 foot. This bridge was completed in 1943. It is a significant landmark of Kolkata and has a daily traffic of more than 1,00,000 vehicles.
FAQs
How are the cantilever bridges built?
Creating the two anchorages, which are the two bases for support on either side of the span, is the first step in creating a cantilever bridge. Each anchoring is then used to build a succession of beams or trusses, with each segment extending from the one before it until they join in the middle.
What components go into the construction of cantilever bridges?
Steel, concrete, and concrete with reinforcement are a few of the materials that can be used to build cantilever bridges. The choice of material is influenced by elements including price, durability and strength.
What distinguishes a suspension bridge from a cantilever bridge?
A cantilever bridge has one end that is supported while the other spreads outward without the need for additional supports in between. On the other hand, a suspension bridge has a deck that is hung by cables that are attached to towers or other structures.
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