Folding bridges are movable bridges that fold to allow vessel traffic to pass. They can be used for pedestrians or vehicles and are often made of metal with hydraulic systems controlling movement. Some designs curl into a circular shape. Folding bridges can be portable and useful for military or temporary bridge repair. They stand out due to their unique mode of movement.
A folding bridge is a type of movable bridge designed to fold to accommodate transiting vessel traffic that must move across the waterway spanned by the bridge. Folding bridges can be found in many regions of the world, with a number of variations on the folding design, some of them quite creative. This bridge design requires complex and careful design, as the bridge must be designed to deal with the stresses of ordinary use and the stresses involved in bending.
Collapsible bridges can be used to accommodate pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Metal is a common building material for such bridges because it is durable and very sturdy, and the movement of the bridge is typically controlled by hydraulic systems. In some designs, the bridge is mostly left down except when it needs to be raised, and in others, the bridge is kept retracted until needed. The decision on which location to keep the bridge is determined by the traffic needs in the area.
In a basic folding bridge, the hinged segments simply fold together, pulling to one side to allow traffic to pass. Other folding bridges actually curl, in an intriguing variation on the traditional design. Curl bridges consist of a number of hinged segments that can roll into a roughly circular shape, starting at one side of the bridge until the curl bridge reaches the shore. This visually interesting design is popular for pedestrian folding bridges.
One advantage of the folding bridge is that it can potentially be portable. “Portable” is a relative term, as vehicles would be needed to transport the bridge and move it into place. Portability can be invaluable in military applications, where advancing armies may wish to carry their own bridges to ensure they are not stopped at waterways. The portability can also be useful when a temporary bridge repair or replacement is needed, with the portable folding bridge moved into position for people to use until the new or repaired bridge is approved for use.
Moving bridges in general tend to attract attention, as most people are used to fixed bridges and might find the movement of a bridge interesting. The folding bridge stands out, as their mode of movement is very different from that of more traditional mobile bridges such as drawbridges and swing bridges.
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