There is a very long suspension bridge is the Humber Estuary bridge in England, just short of 1 mile long between the supports. The two towers are not quite parallel. They are 1.375 inches farther apart at the tops than at the bottoms. Why?
2006-12-04 10:15:05 · 4 answers · asked by Chris H 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
The curvature of the earth.
This is an oldie, but a goodie. I believe the first use of it related to the Golden Gate bridge. I have also seen it using the Varrazano-Narrows bridge in New York as an example.
2006-12-04 10:26:58 · answer #1 · answered by www.HaysEngineering.com 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So the inward forces of the load on the bridge will pull the supports so that they are straight up and down rather than pulling the entire bridge down.
2006-12-08 17:50:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
so the weight of the bridge does not bend them?
This would make sence if cables on other side of the towers are anchored less than half-a-mile away from the base (e.g. because road bends)
2006-12-04 18:17:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
When asked, "Is that bridge strong?"
The Engineer said, "Yes, pretty strong."
Then asked. "Will it fall down?"
Engineer, "Probably not."
2006-12-04 19:21:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋