Civil Engineering Bridge Construction Quiz

What is the difference between a force and a load?

• A force is the weight of the bridge itself, while a load is the weight of the asphalt or concrete road surface

• A force is applied to a structure, while a load is the weight of the vehicles and pedestrians crossing the bridge

• A force always has magnitude and direction, while a load is the weight of the vehicles and pedestrians crossing the bridge

• A force is caused by earthquakes, while a load is the weight of snow, ice, or rainwater

What do tensile forces tend to do to a member?

• Compress it

• Tear it

• Shorten it

• Lengthen it

What do compressive forces tend to do to a member?

• Shorten it

• Tear it

• Lengthen it

• Compress it

What is the magnitude of the force when a truck crosses a bridge?

• Depends on the material of the bridge

• Unknown

• Depends on the weight of the truck

• Depends on the length of the bridge

Which material has the greatest compressive strength but little tensile strength?

• Stone

• Wood

• Concrete

• Iron

What is the purpose of pre-stressed concrete in bridge construction?

• To improve the aesthetics of the bridge

• To decrease the weight of the bridge

• To increase the tensile strength

• To increase the compressive strength

Which material was a favorite for railroad bridges in the 19th century?

• Concrete

• Steel

• Stone

• Wood

What are the five main types of bridges?

• Beam, Arch, Suspension, Cantilever, Cable-Stayed

• Stone, Wood, Concrete, Iron, Steel

• Girder, Truss, Rigid Frame, Arch, Cable

• Statics, Dynamics, Tensile, Compressive, Forces

Which type of bridge may be as simple as a fallen tree across a creek?

• Beam Bridge

• Suspension Bridge

• Cantilever Bridge

• Arch Bridge

What are the components of a beam bridge?

• Deck, Pier, Span, Abutment

• Girder, Truss, Rigid Frame, Arch

• Hangers, Cables, Towers, Roadway

• Struts, Lateral Bracing, Floor Beams