2015-07-21
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Cantilever bridgesconsist of two independent beams called cantilevers thatextend from opposite banks of a waterway. The two cantilevers are joined together above the middle of the waterway by a beam, girder, or truss. Cantilever bridges may have spans as long as about 1,800 feet (549 meters).
Each cantilever has two sections, an anchor arm and a cantilever arm. The anchor arm extends between an abutment and a pier. One end of the cantilever arm is supported by the pier, and the other end extends freely over the waterway. The free ends of the two cantilevers are joined together by a suspended span.
Most cantilever bridges have two anchor spans and one center span. Each anchor span consists of an anchor arm. The suspended span and the two cantilever arms make up the center span.
Many cantilever bridges have truss frameworks. Most bridges of the cantilever type are made of steel or prestressed concrete.
