Understanding Truss and Beam Bridges

What is the main advantage of a truss over a beam?

• Trusses are easier to construct.

• Trusses are less stiff.

• Trusses are more efficient due to axial loads.

• Trusses require more material.

Why do truss elements not bend?

• They are shorter in length.

• They are made of flexible material.

• They are loaded axially and at joints.

• They are loaded perpendicularly.

What is the main reason trusses are used in railway bridges?

• They are cheaper to build.

• They have high stiffness and meet deflection requirements.

• They are more aesthetically pleasing.

• They require less maintenance.

What happens to the stiffness of a beam as its length doubles?

• It becomes eight times more flexible.

• It becomes four times as stiff.

• It remains the same.

• It becomes twice as stiff.

What is a disadvantage of truss bridges?

• They have increased construction complexity.

• They are not suitable for railway traffic.

• They are less efficient in material usage.

• They cannot span long distances.

What is the preferred bridge type for spans up to 100 meters?

• Truss bridges

• Beam bridges

• Suspension bridges

• Cable-stayed bridges

What is the role of gusset plates in truss bridges?

• To act as actual pins.

• To ensure members intersect at the same point.

• To increase the weight of the bridge.

• To reduce the cost of construction.

What is the main reason trusses are efficient?

• Their members do not bend.

• They require fewer supports.

• They are easy to construct.

• They are made of lightweight materials.

What type of load are truss members subjected to?

• Torsional loads

• Axial loads

• Bending loads

• Shear loads

What is the main reason beam bridges are sometimes preferred?

• They are more efficient in material usage.

• They are easier to construct.

• They have higher stiffness.

• They can span longer distances.