Types of Beam Bridges

Beam bridges come in dozens of different styles. The design, location and composition of the truss is what determines the type. In the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, beam-bridge construction in the United States was developing rapidly. Designers were coming up with many different truss designs and compositions. Wooden bridges were being replaced by all-iron or wood-and-iron combinations. The different truss patterns also made great strides during this period. One of the most popular early designs was the Howe truss, a design patented by William Howe in 1840.

His innovation came not in the pattern of his truss, which was similar to the already existing Kingpost pattern, but in the use of vertical iron supports in addition to diagonal wooden supports. Many beam bridges today still use the Howe pattern in their truss.