Doing the research

The Penguin Dictionary of Civil Engineering: Exercise

You are writing an essay on the advantages of different bridge design. Look at the following extract from the Penguin Dictionary of Civil Engineering. Answer the questions that follow:

 

bridge A structure which covers a gap. Generally bridges carry a road or railway across a river, canal or another railway. For the longest spans (600m or more) only steel suspension bridges are used. From 300 to 600m the suspension bridge, the steel arch bridge and the cantilever bridge are equally suitable. For spans under 240 m the concrete arch can be used as well as the above three. See long span.

 

  1. What is a bridge?
  2. What do bridges usually do?
  3. Which type of bridge can be used for spans over 600m?
  4. Which type of bridge can be used for spans between 300 and 600m?
  5. Which type of bridge can be used for spans under 600m?
  6. Where might you look next for more information?

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