why does a bridge have gaps at regular intervals?

Answer 1

I believe that it is to cope with expansion during hot weather

Answer 2

Any bridge will expand in hot weather- that is, grow longer - due to its particles absorbing energy. The increase in energy causes the particles to vibrate faster and more violently about their fixed positions, meaning there is more space between them. This is why you often see those metal "grates" or gaps, as you call them, at regular intervals. This allows them to expand, without cracking in the process, since the metal will push the two parts of the bridge apart as it expands as well. In winter, the opposite occurs. In other words, the particles have less energy and so the parts of the bridge contract i.e. become smaller - to a less noticeable degree than the expansion in summer. Once again, the metal "grate" allows the pieces of the bridge to get smaller without one part being ripped away from the other.

Answer 3

Known as expansion joints they are there to let the metal expand when heated otherwise the bridge would just buckle and bend..

Some times I walk across the Forth Road Bridge in Scotland and the expansion gaps appear to be very big but in reality they are only small.

Answer 4

When the temperature increases due to the sun or due to the friction that results from the many cars zooming across it, the bridge is able to expand into the gaps and hence not result in kinks and bends which will ruin the bridge.

Answer 5

This is so that the bridge can expand and contract with changes in the weather. Without these spaces this would result in the bridge becoming warped and weakening the structure.

Answer 6

Most solids expand when hot and contract when cold.The gaps help to accommodate the expansion and contraction of the material of the bridge.Without the gaps the bridge will crack when subjected to different weather conditions.

Answer 7

some metallic built bridges ,like so many structures have expansion gaps filled with compressible materials or splicing at some points to allow for heat expension.

Answer 8

This is because engineers have to take into account of thermal expansion of steel or the concrete in the bridge. When temperature rises it causes objects to expand therefore a bit of lee-way is needed to compensate.

masters degree in engineering

Answer 9

So that when the metal of the bridge warms up in high temperatures, there is room for it to expand.

Answer 10

These are to accommodate; the

expansion and contraction , caused by changes of ambient temperature .

If these gaps were not there,
the whole structure would weaken, and may buckle and twist .

>^,,^<

Answer 11

All you answers mention expansion joints, how do they control expansion with welded rails which can be up to 1/2 mile long