How Does A Bridge Affect The Environment?

How does the environment a bridge is in effect how the bridge will withstand, even with the different pressures it faces everyday? Which environment is the best and safest place for a certain bridge? The answers to these questions involves researching different topics such as bridge types and different structures. It is important to research about different environments so the environment is simulated correctly. Environments would include a mountainous/rocky terrain, grasslands, ocean/river, canyon, and a desert type environment. Bridges are an immensely important part to roads and transportation. Most bridges are designed with a triangle type support. This provides very good support if the triangle method is used properly (Public Broadcasting
This is something for which engineers have to plan when building the bridge. Similarly, in water habitats or wetlands it is important to consider how the bridge would impact the environment and inhabitants of the area. Engineers not only have to consider how the bridge will effect the environment, but also how the environment will effect the bridge, such as strong currents rocking the bridge, and weakening its supports (Levy, 2003). Another important role to consider is pedestrian safety, especially on bridges over canyons. Making sure that no rocks fall is also crucial as it will loosen the soil and could cause support beams to fail and collapse the bridge (National Park Service (NPS), 2015). Environmental conditions play a key role on bridges such as fog, wind, and fault lines. Wind can create major problems for bridges, especially if they are strong ones. It can twist bridges to the point of collapse or move supports out of place. If bridges are placed on a fault line, and the line happens to move it could cause the bridge to give
Which is why engineers could instead research the soil and ground to find a better spot that is safer for the pedestrians and would cause less casualties (NPS, 2015). Other concerns would be for the people that are actually building the bridge. Such as in a water environment when having to dive down to drill holes for the bridges supports. People having to dive down to put drill holes for supports and swim through murky water, as well as the possibility of getting the wrong measurement (PBS, n.d.). When storms happen during the construction, or while the bridge is in use, the storms could cause problems for the pedestrians and construction workers on the bridge. An example of a disaster like this is a bridge collapse in western Canada. During construction the bridge collapsed, it was 175 feet above water and a steel span of the structure broke and gave way collapsing and killing 59 workers in the process. As to why the bridge collapsed, it could be the water had weakened the supports or the measurement of the drilling holes were placed wrong because it was hard to see while drilling the holes. This is why it is better to research the area where you are building to see if it is suitable for a