Most people do not know much about suspension bridges because they are usually built in places where making concrete roads is a bit difficult. So come and understand what a suspension bridge is and how it works.
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What is a suspension bridge?
First of all, before understanding the workings of suspension bridges, let us understand what suspension bridges are. A suspension bridge is also called a suspension bridge in Hindi. Such bridges are mostly built over rivers. Their job is to facilitate the journey from one shore to the other. The suspension bridge is connected by cables through towers located on both sides of the river.
Basic principle of suspension bridge:
The basic principle behind a suspension bridge is to transfer the weight of or on the bridge to the cables. The basic principle behind these bridges is that such bridges carry their own weight, and the load on these bridges is equal to that in the cables. It has to be divided so that its entire weight does not fall on any one part of the bridge or on any one suspension cable. The special thing about such bridges is that, due to this principle, they can be easily built with light construction materials like steel. Because their weight does not remain constant at one point but flows equally at different points.
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| Principal Behind A Suspension Bridge |
How does a suspension bridge work?
Based on the engineering used in the construction of suspension bridges, you will have to understand the structure of these bridges very well. The structure of a suspension bridge rests on its four main construction points. Which are, respectively, main cable, suspender cables, bridge deck, and towers.
1. Main Cable: This cable suspension bridge is installed between the two towers. And the main cable is an important structural unit in the functioning of these suspension bridges. Which serves to carry most of the load of the bridge, including the weight of the bridge deck and any live loads such as vehicles and pedestrians. The main cable is usually made of premium-quality, strong steel wires. These strong steel wires are joined together to form a pearl main cable.
2. Towers: The second important contribution to the construction of suspension bridges is that of towers. A suspension bridge usually has two towers. Which works to support the main cable. These towers are usually made of steel or concrete, keeping in mind the strength of the bridge. These towers are connected to both parts of the bridge. Which are built on the banks of the river. The special thing about these bridges is that the towers are not built in the middle of the river.
3. Suspender Cables/Suspension Cables: These cables are less thick than the main cables. These cables are connected to the main cable and support the bridge deck on which the vehicles move. The job of these cables is to transfer the load from the deck to the main cable. The number and spacing of suspender cables depend on the design and engineering requirements of the bridge.
4. Bridge Deck: The way a suspension bridge works is that you connect the bridge deck to the asphalt and gravel road in front of you. Which serves to carry traffic, including vehicles, pedestrians, and sometimes bicycles. The bridge deck is connected to the main cable with the help of suspender cables. So that the load can be transferred from the bridge deck to the main cable through suspender cables. The deck can be made of steel, concrete, or a combination of both materials.
Which is the largest suspension bridge of India:
The fame of these suspension bridges built in India is not as great as that of the external bridges. This bridge is considered a major tourist attraction due to its design and amazing engineering. These suspension bridges are also called hanging bridges. If we talk about suspension bridges built in India, their number is in the hundreds, but the Dobra-Chanti bridge in Uttarakhand is the longest bridge in India. Information about some suspension bridges in India is given below.
10 Most famous suspension bridges of India:
1. Howrah Bridge, Kolkata: One of India's most famous suspension bridges, it spans the Hooghly River and connects Kolkata to Howrah.
2. Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Mumbai: This bridge is an engineering marvel that spans the Arabian Sea, connecting the suburbs of Bandra and Worli in Mumbai. It is a cable-stayed bridge with a portion of a suspension bridge.
3. Vidyasagar Setu, Kolkata: Also known as the Second Hooghly Bridge, this is another important suspension bridge of Kolkata. It connects the city to the industrial city of Howrah and is named after educationist Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
4. Mahatma Gandhi Setu, Patna: This bridge spans the river Ganga and connects Patna to Hajipur in Bihar. It is one of the longest river bridges in India and is a major transport route in the region.
5. Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, Kochi: This bridge also known as Kochi-Muziris Bridge, is a suspension bridge spanning the backwaters of Kochi, connecting the city to Bolgatty Island. It is named after former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi.
6. Kolia Bhamora Bridge, Tezpur: This bridge is built on the Brahmaputra River near Tezpur in Assam. It is an important link for transportation in the region and is named after the Ahom general Koliya Bhamora Phukan.
7. Godavari Bridge, Rajahmundry: This bridge crosses the Godavari River in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the longest span bridges in Asia and an important landmark in the region.
8. Naini Bridge, Allahabad: Spanning the Yamuna River in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, the Naini Bridge is a suspension bridge that connects the city to the neighborhood of Naini. It is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.
9. Lohit Bridge, Tezu: This suspension bridge is located at Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh and spans the Lohit River. It is an essential link for transportation in the region and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
10. Jawahar Setu, Bihar: Jawahar Setu crosses the Son River near Dehri-on-Sone in Bihar. It is one of the longest and oldest bridges in India and is an important route connecting the northern and southern parts of the country.
List Of Top 10 Suspension Bridges In India
