CIVIL ENGINEERING

There are six main types of bridges :- beam bridges , cantilever bridges , arch bridges , suspension bridges , cable stayed bridges and truss bridges .

 

A bridge is a structure built to span a valley , road , body of water or other physical obstacle , for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle . Designs of bridges vary depending on the function of the bridge and the nature of the terrain where the bridge is constructed .

The first bridges were made by nature as simple as a log fallen across stream . The first bridges  made by human is probably spans of wooden logs or planks and eventually stones , using a simple support and crossbeam arrangement.

 Epic literature of India provides          mythological accounts of bridges constructed from India to Lanka by the army of Rama . The arthshastra of kautilya mentions the construction of dams and bridges . A mauryan bridge near Girnar was surveyed by James princep . The bridge was swept away during a flood and later repaired by pushpa Gupta the chief architect of emperor Chandragupta . The bridge also fell under the care of the Yavana , Tushaspa and the Satrap rudra Daman .