As an engineering student or engineer, you might be interested in buildings that are both beautiful and useful.
The bascule bridge is a type of moveable bridge that has been a marvel of engineering for more than a hundred years.
Not only can boats pass through these bridges without any problems, but they also show off the intricate designs and complicated systems that make them work.
Join us as we look at how bascule bridges work, the engineering feats that make them possible, and how they have changed transportation and infrastructure.
Get ready to be amazed by the clever engineering behind these modern engineering marvels.
Introduction to Bascule Bridges
Formal definition:
A movable bridge, consisting primarily of a cantilever span extending across a channel, rotates about a horizontal axis parallel with the waterway.
A bascule bridge is a type of moveable bridge that uses a counterweight to keep a span or leaf balanced as it swings up to make room for boats to pass underneath.
Bascule bridges can be single-leafed or double-leafed, and they are the most common type of movable span because they open quickly and only need a small amount of energy to work while allowing marine traffic to pass through at any height.
Mechanism and Design of Bascule Bridges
With the help of gears, motors, and counterweights, the spans of bascule bridges can turn up.
The bridge is supported on an axis that is perpendicular to its longitudinal centerline and lifts along its center of gravity.
This creates a balance for the lifted span(s) on both sides of the horizontal pivotal axis.
Unlike vertical lift bridges, when this bridge is open, there is no vertical obstacle in the river's way.
Other Types of Moveable Bridges
Not all bridges that can be moved are bascule bridges.
These are some other common types:
- Vertical lift bridges that raise a section of the bridge vertically using cables, pulleys, motors, and counterweights.
- Swing bridges that turn on a pivot bearing in the middle.
Discover the Fascinating World of Bascule Bridges
Still hard to understand? Let me change the point of view a bit:
Engineers-to-be, pay attention! If you want to become a master bridge builder, just remember this one key tip: when in doubt, just put a giant see-saw over the water!
Okay, maybe it's not quite that easy to build a bascule bridge, but there's no denying that these interesting and impressive structures can move.
So, let's take a look at bascule bridges and find out how they work (and tock).
Okay, that was just a joke made to look like a TV ad.
Now let's go back to the explanation.
How Bascule Bridges Work
Bascule bridges are a type of drawbridge that has two leaves or spans that are counterbalanced and can move up on a horizontal axis to let boats pass underneath.
When the bridge swings up, the counterweights help balance each side, which helps the bridge move up.
Most moveable bridges around the world are bascule bridges.
Types of Bascule Bridges
There are two main kinds of bascule bridges: those with one leaf and those with two.
A single-leaf bridge is made up of several parts that are all connected to each other.
Its counterweights are placed on top of the bridge.
The fixed-trunnion (sometimes called a "Chicago" bascule) turns around a big axle that raises the span (s).
The Chicago bascule gets its name from the place where it is used a lot.
It is an improvement on the fixed-trunnion made by Joseph Strauss.
With double-leaf bascule bridges of the Strauss type, the machinery to open the bridge is built into the large pier structures.
When compared to other types of moveable bridges, double-leaf bascule bridges have the most space for ships.
Vertical Lift Bridges
Vertical lift bridges are like elevators because they use cables, pulleys, motors, and counterweights to raise a section of the bridge.
Bascule bridges are different from vertical lift bridges in that when they are open, there is no vertical obstruction to river traffic.
Design and Engineering of Bascule Bridges
Bascule bridges are complicated engineering structures that require a deep understanding of load distribution, materials science, and mechanical engineering.
Even though it may be possible to draw a basic outline of a bascule bridge, it takes a lot of skill and adherence to design codes and standards to make a bascule bridge that works.
Factors Affecting Bascule Bridge Design
The design of a bascule bridge can change depending on where it is, how big it is, and what it is used for.
When designing a bascule bridge, there are a few things that need to be taken into account.
- Traffic volume and type: When designing the bridge, the amount and type of traffic that will cross it must be taken into account.
- Conditions of the waterway: The bridge must be built to withstand the strong currents, waves, and tides of the waterway.
- Bridge span length: The length of the bridge's span must be planned so that there is enough room for waterway traffic and the bridge is stable.
- Materials: When choosing materials for the bridge, you have to think about things like how strong they are, how long they will last, and how resistant they are to corrosion.
Structural Components of a Bascule Bridge
Some of the most important parts of a bascule bridge's structure are:
- Base: The bridge's base is usually made of steel or concrete, and it serves as the bridge's foundation.
- Towers: On either side of the base, there are two towers that hold the counterweights and cables that raise and lower the bridge.
- Counterweights: Two big counterweights are on either side of the tower.
They balance the weight of the bridge as it rises and falls.
- Cables: Cables connect each end of the bridge to each tower and help raise and lower the bridge.
- Span: A rectangular span sits on top of the base and can be raised by cables connected to counterweights so that waterway traffic can pass underneath.
Engineering Adventures: Bascule Bridge
Tip: Turn on the caption button if you need it. Choose “automatic translation” in the settings button, if you are not familiar with the spoken language. You may need to click on the language of the video first before your favorite language becomes available for translation.
Use cases
| Used in: | Description: |
|---|---|
| Navigation of Waterways: | Bascule bridges are most often used to let boats and ships pass through waterways. Bascule bridges are often used in ports, harbors, and other waterway areas where large ships need to pass through. The bridge is raised and lowered with the help of a counterweight system, which makes the process quick and easy. |
| Getting Around by Train: | Bascule bridges are also often used in railway systems to move people and goods. The bridge goes up to let trains pass, and it goes back down after the train has gone through safely. This kind of bridge is useful in places where there isn't enough room for a regular bridge or tunnel. |
| Transportation by Road: | Bascule bridges can also be used to connect roads, especially in cities where there isn't enough room for a regular bridge. The bridge goes up so that tall ships or boats can pass under it. Once the waterway is clear, the bridge goes back down. This kind of bridge can help cut down on traffic jams and make traffic flow better. |
| Facilities for Industry and Manufacturing: | Bascule bridges can also be used in factories and other industrial settings to move large machines or equipment across waterways. This type of bridge is especially useful in places where there isn't enough room for a traditional bridge or where heavy loads need to be moved quickly and easily. |
| Use for recreation: | Bascule bridges can also be used for fun, like in marinas or other places with waterways. This type of bridge can be a unique and interesting feature for boaters and visitors, as well as a way to control traffic and stop congestion in busy areas. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the bascule bridge shows how creative engineers can be and how important it is to build infrastructure that is not only useful but also looks good.
Not only do these bridges make it easy for boats to pass through, but they also add to the beauty and character of a city.
As we keep pushing the limits of engineering, we can look back at the bascule bridge to see what can be done when art and science come together.
The bascule bridge is a real feat of modern engineering, whether it's because of how well the counterweights work together or how strong the steel beams are or how beautiful the designs are.
Let's keep pushing ourselves to build things that are both useful and beautiful, and let's keep the bascule bridge's history alive for future generations.
Links and references
Structure Inspection Manual Part 3 – Movable Structures Chapter 2 – Bascule Bridges:
https://wisconsindot.gov/dtsdManuals/strct/inspection/insp-fm-pt3ch2.pdf
Movable Bridges:
Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
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