Arch

A structure that is curved and carries weight in a vertical manner.

Beam

Horizontal structures that hold a vertical weight while not bending.

Brace

Part of a bridge that gives support. There are different types of braces.

Bridge

A structure used to transport people, animals, and vehicles across an area.

Cable

Steel wire that is used in holding up suspension and cable-stayed bridges.

Column

The part of a bridge that connects the footing to the bottom of the bridge’s deck.

Compression

A type of pressing force that pushes or squeezes things together.

Deck

The surface of a truss or bridge that people or things drive and walk across.

Footing

The part of a bridge that is under ground level. Some are under water also.

Force

A push or pull; any action that helps to make a bridge stable or unstable.

Keystone

The center, wedge-shaped stone at the top of an arch that locks the arch together.

Live Load

The amount of weight of things going across the bridge.

Load

The amount of weight of the bridge parts.

Masonry

A building material made of stone, clay, brick, or concrete.

Span

The distance between the legs of a structure.

Stable

Doesn't move. Holds its shape and doesn't fall or collapse.

Strut

A support that helps make the bridge stable - often diagonal.

Substructure

Bridge parts that are below the deck part of the bridge.

Superstructure

Bridge parts that are the deck and above the deck.

Tension

A stretching force that pulls on the parts of the bridge.

Torsion

An action that twists a material.

Tower

The high, vertical part of a bridge that holds the cables.

Truss

A frame made of short, straight pieces joined to form triangles or sturdy shapes.

Unstable

Doesn't hold the load. Moves, collapses, bends, or breaks.