Suspension bridges are supported by suspensions and are often found in underdeveloped locations. They can be built with different materials and are rarely flat. They are often unstabilized and require handrails, but can be stabilized with overhead wires or wire mesh. They are mostly used for pedestrian traffic as they are considered inefficient for motorized traffic.
A bridge is a structure that allows people to pass from one point to another, usually across a body of water or a stretch of land. Most modern bridges are built with some type of support that drops underneath the structure, providing stability. A suspension bridge generally doesn’t have this. Instead, such bridges are usually supported by suspensions.
There are several ways to build a suspension bridge. The method can depend a lot on the culture. In many cases, suspension bridges are located in underdeveloped locations and can be built by people with little or no formal education. The construction method may also depend on the loads expected to pass through the bridge.
A suspension bridge can be built with different materials. The types of materials used often depend on the setting, amount of traffic, and available resources. Each step is usually supported or tied together by a network of wires, ropes or cables.
Thanks to their supports, many bridges provide a flat passage from one point to another. A suspension bridge, however, is rarely flat. Such a bridge generally sags to some degree, with the highest points being at each end where the structure is anchored. The degree of the descending arc can vary from one bridge to another. It can also be affected by the load that is on it at any given moment.
Suspension bridges are often found spanning streams and gorges. In many cases, such a bridge is not stabilized. This means that forces such as wind and traffic can cause it to sway. Typically, this is one reason why it is rare to find a suspension bridge built without handrails. The instability of a suspension bridge means that adverse weather could make its use unsafe.
While many are unstabilized, it is possible to stabilize a suspension bridge. This can be done by adding overhead wires to stabilize the passage. It is also possible to use a wire mesh or other material to stabilize the bridge from below or from the sides. However, this involves a greater amount of skills and resources, which are not always available.
Suspension bridges are almost exclusively used for pedestrian traffic in modern times. In most cases, suspension bridges are considered inefficient for motorized traffic and the loads they carry. Anchoring a suspension bridge carrying heavy motorized traffic would be very difficult and would likely require a great deal of ongoing maintenance.
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