Land bridges connect otherwise separated islands or continents, allowing for the exchange of plants and animals. The Bering land bridge, which allowed humans to migrate from Asia to the Americas, is the most famous. Other land bridges include Doggerland, which connected England to mainland Europe, and those in Indonesia. The land bridge between North and […]
Clapper bridges are early stone bridges made by laying large slabs of rock on stone piers, with most found in the UK. They were likely evolved from stepping stones and were used to make it easier for people to cross rivers. Some historic preservation organizations work to preserve them. A clapper bridge is an early […]
Bridge tapping is a telecommunications connection where extra wires are run for future flexibility. However, it can cause interference and problems with high-speed data transmissions. A technician can determine if a home has a bridge tap and may need to cut the line to fix the issue. A bridge tap is a type of telecommunications […]
The Wheatstone bridge, invented in 1833, measures impedance using two fixed resistors and one variable resistor. Modern impedance bridges have multiple circuits and can test various electrical devices. AC circuits are more complex due to capacitor leakage, which can be solved with a Wagner ground loop. A modern impedance bridge is a device used to […]
The oldest bridge in Paris, Pont Neuf, was opened in 1607 and designed by King Henry III but built by King Henry IV. It became a major landmark and was financed by a wine tax. The footpaths were new and led to the term “piéton”. It was a prime location for street vendors and open-air […]
London Bridge has spanned the River Thames for over 2,000 years, with the current steel and concrete bridge connecting the City of London and Southwark. The bridge has a fascinating history, including destruction by fires and floods, the display of notorious Englishmen’s heads, and the introduction of tolls. The Rennie Bridge was sold to an […]
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is not gold, but painted in International Orange for visibility in foggy conditions. The U.S. military wanted stripes, with the Navy pushing for black and yellow and the Air Force for red and white. The bridge was built over the Golden Gate Strait and opened in 1937, with […]
A thermal bridge occurs when a non-insulating material passes through a building’s insulation, causing uneven surface temperatures. Corners, windows, roofs, and walls are common places for thermal bridges. They can lead to condensation, mold growth, and energy inefficiency. Design and construction practices can minimize thermal bridges, and infrared imaging and computer analysis can detect them. […]
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington state, consisting of two suspension bridges, collapsed in 1940 due to a wind-induced harmonic swing. A new, safer bridge was built in 1950, and a sister bridge was added in 2007 to accommodate increasing traffic flow. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge consists of two suspension bridges at the narrowest point […]
A bridge wing is a walkway on a ship that extends from the pilot’s house to the outer edges of the vessel, providing a better view for the captain to maneuver the ship when docking. It has control panels and is open for a panoramic view. A bridge wing is a narrow walkway that extends […]
Pedestrian overpasses separate foot traffic from vehicles, improving safety and reducing traffic disruptions. They may have ramps for accessibility and can be artistic. Las Vegas installed several to remove foot traffic from congested streets. A pedestrian overpass, also called an overpass, is a bridge or structure that prevents pedestrian traffic from mixing with vehicular traffic. […]
The Mackinac Bridge connects Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas, replacing the need for car ferries. Construction began in 1954 and took three and a half years to complete. The bridge was built to withstand extreme weather conditions and has become a tourist destination, with an annual “Mackinac Bridge Walk” event. The Mackinac Bridge is a […]
A bridge inspector is a civil engineering specialist who assesses load capacity and performs condition assessments on aging bridge structures. They require a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and must continually educate themselves. They learn how to build sound bridges that meet regulatory and environmental requirements and exceed permitted safety measures. They perform damage inspections […]
The George Washington Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the Hudson River, connecting Manhattan Island to northeastern New Jersey. Designed by Othmar Ammann, it features two steel towers and four main cables. Construction began in 1927 and it opened in 1931. The upper level has eight lanes of traffic and the lower level has […]
A diode bridge is an array of four diodes that rectifies AC power to produce a stable DC output. Diodes allow current to flow in one direction, breaking one half of the AC cycle. Capacitors can smooth out the remaining AC ripple. Diode bridges are used in various applications, from small power supplies to large […]
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge connects Maryland’s eastern and western shores and opened in 1952. A parallel span with three lanes opened in 1973. The bridge is busy in summer and during peak hours, and a toll is charged for eastbound traffic. Studies have been conducted to determine whether another bridge is needed. The Chesapeake Bay […]
An overhead crane consists of a movable bridge, trolley, and hoist that move on suspended girders. It can be configured as top or bottom glider and single or double girder. Overhead cranes have advantages over forklifts in terms of load capacity and lift height. Safety precautions include avoiding lifting loads with people on them and […]
A bridge plug is a tool used in underground oil drilling to temporarily or permanently stop oil production. They are made from various materials and require a specialized tool for placement. The tool has a tapered, threaded mandrel and compression sleeves to efficiently place the plug in the well. A bridge plug is a tool […]
The Brooklyn Bridge is a suspension bridge connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan in New York City. Designed by John Roebling, it opened in 1883 and was the longest suspension bridge in the world. It has become a popular tourist attraction and is designated as a city and national landmark. In 2007, it was found to be […]
A bridge rectifier converts AC power to DC power by using diodes to force a constant positive/negative output orientation. It can be loose or integrated and has configurations consisting of four or six diodes. The device operates through diodes placed in pairs, producing a smooth DC power output with minimal residual AC ripple. Bridge rectifiers […]
