Humpback bridge
Encyclopedia
A humpback bridge is a name for a type of bridge
, specifically an arch bridge
, where the span
is higher than the ramp
s on either side, forming a hump-like arrangement. Examples include Chinese and Japanese moon bridge
s and the Humpback Covered Bridge
in the United States.
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
, specifically an arch bridge
Arch bridge
An arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch. Arch bridges work by transferring the weight of the bridge and its loads partially into a horizontal thrust restrained by the abutments at either side...
, where the span
Span (architecture)
Span is the distance between two intermediate supports for a structure, e.g. a beam or a bridge.A span can be closed by a solid beam or of a rope...
is higher than the ramp
Inclined plane
The inclined plane is one of the original six simple machines; as the name suggests, it is a flat surface whose endpoints are at different heights. By moving an object up an inclined plane rather than completely vertical, the amount of force required is reduced, at the expense of increasing the...
s on either side, forming a hump-like arrangement. Examples include Chinese and Japanese moon bridge
Moon bridge
A moon bridge is a highly arched pedestrian bridge, which in its wooden form may require the walker to initially climb and also when descending. This type is associated with gardens in China and Japan...
s and the Humpback Covered Bridge
Humpback Covered Bridge
The Humpback Covered Bridge located in the U.S. state of Virginia, is one of the few remaining covered bridges in the United States that was built higher in the middle than on either end; hence the name of "humpback". The bridge was built in 1857 and is also the oldest remaining covered bridge in...
in the United States.