The document outlines the history and significance of bridges, detailing their role as essential structures that facilitate crossing obstacles and improving connectivity. It categorizes bridges into six types: beam, truss, arch, cantilever, suspension, and cable-stayed, each with unique characteristics and uses. Additionally, the document highlights interesting facts about bridges, such as their environmental benefits and various cultural impacts.

1. English for Civil Engineerin
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BRIDGES
Juvrianto CJ, S.Pd., M.Pd.

2. History of Bridges
Everyone knows what bridges is, particularly for the engineer. A civil engineer can
design a bridge that used to cross from point A to point B etc. Below is the history
of bridges.
Bridge is not a construction but it is a concept, the concept of crossing over large
spans of land or huge masses of water, and to connect two far-off points,
eventually reducing the distance between them. The bridge provides passage over
the obstacle of small caverns, a valley, road, body of water, or other physical
obstacle. Designs of bridges vary depending on the nature of the terrain and the
function of the bridge and where it is constructed.
The Oxford English Dictionary traces the origin of the word bridge to an Old
English word brycg, of the same meaning, derived from German root brugj?.

3. The first bridges were believed to be made by nature — as simple as a log fallen across a
stream. This is called as nature made bridge/natural bridge.

4. Those picture above are traditional bridges. It can be made from pans of wooden logs or
bamboo.

5. Facts about Bridges
 Bridges can be friendly to the environment.
 Some bridges go absolutely…nowhere.
 Bridges provide border security.
 Traditional bridge designs can be as stable than modern ones.
 The highest bridge on earth was completed in 2016.
 Bridges can be made from glass.

6. General Function / Importance of Bridges
A bridge is a link that connects both ends and provide continuous access for a
road network. This is true when a road encounters geographical barriers such as
rivers, ravines, lakes, tributaries making it impossible to pursue to its destination.
Desirous of extending mobility to spur development through the flow of resources
,bridges are support structures for a road link to facilitates trade and relationships
among different cultures as a result of the accessibility thru travel by land.

7. Types of Bridges
For ease of use, Garrett’s Bridges classifies six categories of bridges as follows:
 Beam Bridge
 Truss Bridge
 Arch Bridge
 Cantilever Bridge
 Suspension Bridge
 Cable Stayed Bridge

8. Beam bridge
The most simple and common type of bridge used in the real world. This type can
be quite effective, even if it isn’t very beautiful. Most highway bridges fall under this
category, made from Beams and reinforced concrete.

9. Truss bridge
Truss bridges are fun because it is easy to analyze them using the Method of
Joints, or by using a program such as the Bridge Designer from Jonhs Hopkins
University.

10. Arch bridge
Arch bridges are beautiful, and effective. In real life their effectiveness has a
limited range, meaning they are limited in effective length. How Stuff Works does a
pretty good job explaining Arch Bridges.

11. Cantilever bridge
The Cantilever is a very interesting concept. It supports the weight with a counter
weight on one end. The problem with using a Cantilever (as well as Suspension
and Cable Stayed bridges) is that they need to be anchored down to something.

12. Suspension bridge
Suspension bridges are some of the most beautiful structures known to mankind.
Their elegant curved cables. Not only are they nice to look at, but they allow
engineers to design longer spans than any other type (with the exception of Cable
Stayed).

13. Cable Stayed bridge
Cable Stayed bridges are similar in concept to suspension bridges, and thus are
sometimes lumped together with them. However, they differ in that there is not one
continuous cable that stretches from one end of the bridge to the other.

14. References
https://theconstructor.org/structures/history-of-bridges/5491/
http://www.historyofbridges.com/
https://www.garrettsbridges.com/design/bridge-types/