Colonel William A. Phillips

Not to be confused with Table bridge.

A vertical-lift bridge or just lift bridge is a type of movable bridge in which a span rises vertically while remaining parallel with the deck.

The vertical lift offers several benefits over other movable bridges such as the bascule and swing-span bridges. Generally speaking, they cost less to build for longer moveable spans.[1] The counterweights in a vertical lift are only required to be equal to the weight of the deck, whereas bascule bridge counterweights must weigh several times as much as the span being lifted. As a result, heavier materials can be used in the deck, and so this type of bridge is especially suited for heavy railroad use. The biggest disadvantage to the vertical-lift bridge (in comparison with many other designs) is the height restriction for vessels passing under it, due to the deck remaining suspended above the passageway.

Most vertical-lift bridges use towers, each equipped with counterweights. An example of this kind was built at La Salle in Illinois, United States in 1929 (and demolished in 2001).[2]

Another design uses balance beams to lift the deck, with pivoting bascules located on the top of the lift towers.[3]

Examples

See List of vertical-lift bridges.

Gallery of images

See also

References

  1. ^ Troyano (2003), p.731
  2. ^ Shippingsport Bridge, LaSalle County, Illinois www.bridgehunter.com, accessed 1 August 2023
  3. ^ Troyano (2003), p.732
  4. ^ Wood Wortman, Sharon; Wortman, Ed (2006). The Portland Bridge Book (3rd ed.). Urban Adventure Press. p. 68. ISBN 0-9787365-1-6.

Bibliography

  • Leonardo Fernandez Troyano (2003). Bridge Engineering: A Global Perspective. Thomas Telford Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7277-3215-6.

External links

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lift-bridge