What is a rocking bridge?

Swing Bridge is a type of moving bridge that is open by turning by turning the horizontal plane to allow to pass high ships and vessels. The movable part of the bridge is known as a swivel span that has two arms ranging from the beer to each side of the navigation channel. When the bridge opens, it moves horizontally and opens two separate channels on both sides of the central rotation. During the closure, the rocking bridge allows motor operation to pass through the body of the water. When the ship needs to pass, the engines located inside the bridge turn the swing span of 90 degrees horizontally to the open position.

The rocking bridges have existed for at least 200 years and the oldest examples were built of wood. One of the most famous swing bridges was Pennsylvania Main Line Canal Bridge, which was built in the early 19th century. However, these early bridges were largely replaced due to their insufficient width for two -lane engine operation and their limited weight capamstou. Most old swing bridges thatThey still use the railway bridges, built at the end of the 19th and at the beginning of the 20th century.

There are many variations of a typical rocking bridge, including the center bearing, rim deposit and bobbin swings. The center bearing variety is supported by a circular blade attached to the bottom of the structure, allowing the bridge to rotate as a top while supported at a single central point. The shock bearing bridge sits on the top of a large piece of steel, consisting of a set of cylinders that surround the central pin, and the edges of the beam that allows the bridge to roll the bridge in a circle on the track while turning to the open position. Swing Bobtail is an asymmetric bridge, usually made of wood, which is operated by a coast rope, and in modern times it is rarely used.

Rocking bridges are used worldwide in areas where automotive operation and water containers are likely to meet and in thoseHTO situations are often preferred to other designs. Unlike other types of moving bridges, the rocking bridge does not lift or move into the air when opening. This results in less wind load on the structure and less structural voltage. The lack of counterweight also reduces the total weight of the bridge and the time and materials needed for the construction are significantly smaller than other movable bridges.

Although it is a good solution for many waterways, the rocking bridge has disadvantages. It has more moving parts than other moving bridges and relies strongly on engines and mechanical parts to move the swing span. If the bridge does not receive regular maintenance or none of the non -functional parts, this may result in serious safety risks. However, if it is well maintained, the rocking bridge will work safely for many years without an incident.