Types

Types of suspension bridge include the following:

1. Simple suspension bridge : A simple suspension bridge (also rope
bridge, swing bridge , suspended bridge, hanging bridge and
catenary bridge) is a primitive type of bridge in which the deck of the
bridge lies on two parallel load-bearing cables that are anchored at
either end. They have no towers or piers. The cables follow a shallow
downward catenary arc which moves in response to dynamic loads
on the bridge deck.The arc of the deck, and its large movement under
load make them unsuitable for vehicular, or railroad, traffic. Simple
suspension bridges are restricted in their use to foot traffic. For
safety, they are built with stout handrail cables, supported on short
piers at each end, and running parallel to the load-bearing cables.
Sometime these may be the primary load-bearing element, with the
deck suspended below. Simple suspension bridges are considered
the most efficient, and sustainable design, in rural regions, especially
for river crossings that lie in non-floodplain topography such as
gorges.
2. Underspanned suspension bridge: An underspanned suspension
bridge (also upper deck suspension bridge) is a rare type of
suspension bridge that was developed in the early 19th century. It
differs from its ancestor, the simple suspension bridge, in that the
deck is raised on posts above the main cables. The raised deck is
less stable than a deck laid on or hung below the cables, and very
few underspanned suspension bridges have been built

3. Stressed ribbon bridge: A stressed ribbon bridge (also stress-

ribbon bridge or catenary bridge) is a tension structure (similar in many
ways to a simple suspension bridge). The suspension cables are embedded
in the deck which follows a catenary arc between supports. Unlike the
simple span, the ribbon is stressed in traction, which adds to the stiffness
of the structure (simple suspension spans tend to sway and bounce). The
 supports in turn support upward thrusting arcs that allow the grade to be
changed between spans (where multiple spans are used). Such bridges are
typically made from concrete reinforced by steel tensioning cables. Where
such bridges carry vehicle traffic a certain degree of stiffness is required to
prevent excessive flexure of the structure, obtained by stressing the
concrete in compression. , but is stiff, not flexible.

4. Suspension bridge: 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. This arrangement allows the deck to be level or to arc
upward for additional clearance. Like other suspension bridge types,
this type often is constructed without falsework.The suspension cables
must be anchored at each end of the bridge since any load applied to
the bridge is transformed into a tension in these main cables. The
main cables continue beyond the pillars to deck-level supports, and
further continue to connections with anchors in the ground. The
roadway is supported by vertical suspender cables or rods, called
hangers. In some circumstances, the towers may sit on a bluff or
canyon edge where the road may proceed directly to the main span,
otherwise the bridge will usually have two smaller spans, running
between either pair of pillars and the highway, which may be
supported by suspender cables or their own trusswork. In the latter
case, there will be very little arc in the outboard main cables. This type
is suitable for use by heavy vehicles and light rail.

5. Self-anchored suspension bridge:

A self-anchored suspension bridge is a suspension bridge in which the
main cables attach to the ends of the deck, rather than to the ground
via large anchorages. The design is well-suited for construction atop
elevated piers, or in areas of unstable soils where anchorages would
be difficult to construct. The load path of the self-anchored suspension
(SAS) bridge converts vertical loads into tension forces in the main
cables which are countered by compressive forces in the towers and
deck. The system balances forces internally without external
anchorage requirements making it suitable for sites where large
horizontal forces are difficult to anchor. This is similar to the method
used in a tied-arch bridge where arch member compression is
balanced by tension in the deck.

 Hybrid types:
Some suspension bridges are of unusual hybrid types. Among these
are suspension bridges that have an "intermediate dec. These
bridges have a portion of deck that resembles an underspanned
suspension bridge. Some of the earliest suspended-deck suspension
bridges were of this type, and they continue to be constructed.
Examples constructed in the 20th century include a viaduct over the
river Oberargen near Wangen, Germany. A 258-metre (846 ft) span
of the viaduct has a cable support below the deck, with one end of
the cable anchored at a pier and the other end tied into a
conventional cable stay. The underspanned portion of the span is
172-metre (564 ft) long and has three vertical members.
The Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in
the world, is a suspended-deck suspension bridge with a stiff truss
girder deck. Its main span is 1,991 meters long.
Construction

Unlike many other types of bridge, suspension bridges often can be

built without use of falsework. In many cases, the main cables are
constructed first, then the deck is added. This often involves the use
of a pilot cable. Provided the cables are of sufficiently high quality,
suspension bridges are suitable for the longest spans. However, their
construction costs are high, so that usually they are economical only
for spans in excess of 1000 feet. Shorter spans often are constructed
for aesthetic reasons. The economy of longer span suspension
bridges is due to their relatively low weight, but because of the
greater flexibility that comes with low weight these bridges are more
suitable as road bridges than railroad bridge
Bridge main components
Two towers/pillars, two suspension cables, four suspension cable
anchors, multiple suspender cables, the bridge deck.

Structural analysis
The main forces in a suspension bridge of any type are tension in the
cables and compression in the pillars. Since almost all the force on
the pillars is vertically downwards, and the bridge is also stabilized by
the main cables. In a suspended deck bridge, cables suspended via
towers hold up the road deck. The weight is transferred by the cables
to the towers, which in turn transfer the weight to the ground.
Assuming a negligible weight as compared to the weight of the deck
and vehicles being supported, the main cables of a suspension
bridge will form a parabola (very similar to a catenary, the form the
unloaded cables take before the deck is added). One can see the
shape from the constant increase of the gradient of the cable with
linear (deck) distance, this increase in gradient at each connection
with the deck providing a net upward support force. Combined with
the relatively simple constraints placed upon the actual deck, that
makes the suspension bridge much simpler to design and analyze
than a cable-stayed bridge in which the deck is in compression.
 Advantages

1. Longer main spans are achievable than with any other type of
bridge.
2. Less material may be required than other bridge types, even at
spans they can achieve, leading to a reduced construction cost.
3. Except for installation of the initial temporary cables, little or no
access from below is required during construction and so a
waterway can remain open while the bridge is built above.
4. They may be better able to withstand earthquake movements
than heavier and more rigid bridges
5. Bridge decks can have deck sections replaced in order to widen
traffic lanes for larger vehicles or add additions width for
separated cycling/pedestrian paths

Disadvantages

1. Considerable stiffness or aerodynamic profiling may be required to

prevent the bridge deck vibrating under high winds.
2. The relatively low deck stiffness compared to other (non-suspension)
types of bridges makes it more difficult to carry heavy rail traffic in
which high concentrated live loads occur.
3. The relatively low deck stiffness compared to other (non-suspension)
types of bridges makes it more difficult to carry heavy rail traffic in
which high concentrated live loads occur.