Cantilever Bridge

engineering · bridges · architecture

One-sided Support. Unlike most bridges that need support from both sides, a cantilever bridge is anchored and supported on only one end, kind of like a seesaw with a heavy weight on one side.

Simple to Complex. Small cantilever footbridges can be made from simple wooden or metal beams, but big ones that carry cars or trains need super strong steel trusses or concrete boxes to handle all that weight.

Balanced Overhang. The secret is that the cantilever arm sticks out horizontally into space, spreading the weight back to the support point on the anchored end, which holds it steady.

Handles Heavy Traffic. Cantilever bridges are strong enough to carry roads full of cars or railroad tracks with heavy trains because the steel and concrete are specially designed to resist all that downward force.