WOLFRAM|DEMONSTRATIONS PROJECT

Bridges with Catenary Shaped Supports

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catenary support
height of deck
pier spacing
diameter of support
support density
show cross members
Vary the parameters to replicate the general appearance of various bridges. When the catenary is convex, you get an arch bridge configuration, with compression stress in the supports. When the catenary is concave, you can see a suspension bridge, with tensile stress in the supports, which would generally be made of stranded steel cables.