Bridge_project

[|Bridge Project: Tower Bridge]

=__**Bridge Project: Tower Bridge Script**__=

**__Definition of bridges __** According to de Oxford English Dictionary (O.E.D.) a bridge is a “structure carrying a road, path, railroad, or canal across a river, ravine, road, or other obstacle”. In other words, a bridge is an efficient way to make a direct connection between two places. Many bridges have been built since ancient times, as a result there are many types of bridges such as:

There are a lot of uses for bridges; they are technological tools that aim to solve the problem of crossing an obstacle in such a way as to cut down the effort and time needed to do so. Because of that, they have many benefits and uses, for instance supplies and other things can get from one place to another in a shorter time. They also help people to travel in an easier and safer way so that they can share ideas, intellectual, political etc enriching society itself. In this presentation I will talk about one particular bridge: The Tower Bridge in London, UK
 * __Arch Bridge: __**Its based on a semicircular structure that elegantly distributes compression through its entire form and therefore, it can bear a lot of pressure.
 * __Beam Bridge: __**Conformed basically by a rigid horizontal structure (a beam) and two, or more supports, one at each end, to rest it on. These components directly support the downward weight of the bridge and any traffic traveling over it.
 * __Cable-Stayed Bridge: __** It’s a bridge that consists of one or more columns, with cables supporting the bridge deck. The cables run from the roadway up to a single tower that alone bears the weight.
 * __Cantilever Bridge: __** A cantilever bridge is a bridge built using beams that project horizontally into space and that are anchored at one end only.
 * __Suspension Bridge: __** Suspension bridge, suspend the roadway by cables, ropes or chains from two tall towers.
 * __Truss Bridge __****<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">: **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> A truss bridge is a bridge composed of connected elements. They are usually made of steel beams, creating a structure of triangles. They are a variation of the beam bridge type

**__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">The Tower Bridge __** <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, which gives it its name and has become an iconic symbol of London. Construction started in 1886 and took eight years to build. The bridge consists of two towers which are tied together at the upper level by means of two horizontal walkways **__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Name of bridge: __**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Tower Bridge **__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Location: __**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> London, England **__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Purpose of the bridge: __**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> The Bridge was built in the 19th Century, when the east of London became extremely crowded and a bridge across the Thames in that area of the city seemed necessary. **__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Type of bridge: __**<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Combined <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">bascule and suspension bridge. A bascule bridge is a movable bridge designed in order for the structure to provide clearance for boat traffic. **__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Materials: __**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> The two great piers contain over 70,000 tons of concrete, and over 11,000 tons of steel provided the framework for the Towers and Walkways. This framework was clad in Cornish granite and Portland stone to protect the underlying steelwork and to give the Bridge a more pleasing appearance. **__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Technology involved in its construction: __**<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">The proximity of the harbor and its location in the direction of the sea required for the bridge to allow the passage of large vessels; hence, the decision to create a moveable bridge which can be opened to accommodate boat traffic. The mechanism to open the bridge is hidden in the two towers <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">When it was built, Tower Bridge was the largest and most sophisticated bascule bridge ever completed, these bascules were operated by hydraulics, using steam to power the enormous pumping engines. The energy created was stored in six massive accumulators, so as soon as power was required to lift the Bridge, it was always available. The accumulators fed the driving engines, which drove the bascules up and down. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Today, the bascules are still operated by hydraulic power, but since 1976 they have been driven by oil and electricity rather than steam. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">When opened the bridge has a clearance of almost 45 meter. It used to open almost 50 times a day but nowadays it is only raised about 1,000 times a year. **__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Designers: __**<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">The bridge, designed by city architect Horace Jones in collaboration with John Wolfe Barry **__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Advantages/disadvantages of the bridge for the specific community: __** <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pedestrians can go inside the bridge, where they’ll have a magnificent view over London from the walkway between the two bridge towers. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In conclusion, The Tower Bridge is universal landmark, and a beautiful example of modern engineering and architecture, not only does it comply to its primary function, but also revitalizes and interconnects the city, creating harmony in the urban form of London. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">