Which type of bridge is most suitable for crossing deep gorges or valleys where the construction of intermediate piers is difficult and the span is moderately long?
- AR.C.C. T-beam Bridge
- BArch BridgeCorrect
- CSlab Bridge
- DSimple Girder Bridge
Solution
Concept
Arch Bridge Suitability and Load Transfer
Formula
N/A
Step-by-step solution
1. Analyze the requirements for spanning a deep gorge or valley without intermediate piers. 2. Recall that an arch bridge anchors directly into side abutments and transfers loads via compression, making it ideal for deep gaps. 3. Select Option B as the correct choice.
Explanation
An arch bridge is ideal for deep gorges or valleys because its curved structure can anchor directly into the solid rock walls on either side, eliminating the need for intermediate piers in the deep gap below. The arch naturally transfers the weight of the bridge and traffic outward and downward into these end supports through compression, making it a strong, stable choice for moderate spans.
Shortcut
To remember the suitability of Arch Bridges for deep gorges, use the rule "Arch = Anchored & No Piers": - Deep Gorges / Valleys: The curved arch anchors directly into side rock walls. - No Intermediate Piers: Load transfers outward and downward via compression directly to end supports, eliminating the need for center piers.
Common mistake
A common mistake is selecting option A (R.C.C. T-beam Bridge) or option D (Simple Girder Bridge) by overlooking the requirement that constructing intermediate piers is difficult. Girder and beam bridges require intermediate pier supports for moderate to long spans, which is impractical in deep gorges. Another frequent error is selecting option C (Slab Bridge), which is only suitable for very short spans.
Correct answer: B) Arch Bridge