How to Build a Suspension Bridge | Suspension Bridge Facts | Suspension Bridge-Strength & Weaknesses | Advantages and Disadvantages of a Suspension Bridge
The suspenders overhang from the main supporting cables, which carry the dead and live loads (generally traffic loads) from a bridge and transfer it to the catenary.
The towers carry the whole load of the bridge deck slab from either side, by taking it from the main supporting cables and transferring it to the foundation, which is further transferred to the subsoil under it.
A suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck (the load-bearing portion) is hung below suspension cables on vertical suspenders.
This type of bridge has cables suspended between towers, with vertical suspender cables that transfer the live and dead loads of the deck below, upon which traffic crosses.
There are numerous advantages of a suspension bridge which is being preferred nowadays as an effective choice for bridge re-construct as well as new bridges construction.
Although not many, suspension bridges do provide some disadvantages.
In contrast, the number of advantages of a suspension bridge far exceeds the disadvantages, which is why suspension bridges are seen as a popular choice of bridge construction.
Suspension bridges are very affordable to construct as only a minimal amount of materials, and supplies are necessary to construct the bridge. It needs anchor blocks, cables and steel boxes for the bridge deck.
One of the biggest advantages of a suspension bridge is that it can cover a long span. So it is very suitable for busy waterways and where the length of the waterways are large.
It is easier to maintain suspension bridges when compared to other bridge structures. Suspension bridge needs little and a nominal amount of maintenance which preferably includes new coats of paints every year. So it is very affordable as it requires one-time large investment behind the construction of the structure.
There is more flexibility in the configuration of the suspension bridges. As the suspension bridges are constructed into different segments which are then joined to form the bridge, it is very much possible to modify any part of the structure for maintenance or other structural reasons.
This type of bridge design requires very little access from the bottom of the deck. As the design of a suspension bridge requires the design of cables and suspenders, there is no necessity to access the bottom of the deck, which again proves to be economical for a technical audit of the structure.
Suspension bridges can be visually appealing from the aesthetic viewpoint. The parabolic shape of the cable and the shape of the structure provides an aesthetically pleasing experience, which results in increased tourism, affecting the economy of the country as a whole.
Suspension bridges can struggle to focus on heavy loads. As this type of bridge can be used to cover very large spans, it’s the inability to carry concentrated focused loads may become a major drawback for the high traffic cities and countries.
Suspension bridges are weak against high wind. Due to the lower stiffness of the bridge, high winds and earthquakes can cause major damages to the bridge resulting in vibration, and ultimately, failure of the bridge.
A little amount of access from the bottom deck may be necessary during the construction of a suspension bridge, which can be avoided in cable cable-stayed.
A suspension bridge has lower feck stiffness compared to other bridge structures.