hængebro

Hængebro is the Danish word for suspension bridge. A suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck is hung below suspension cables on vertical suspenders. The main suspension cables, at each end of the bridge, are anchored to the ground or to large blocks. This structure allows for very long spans compared to other bridge types.

The fundamental principle of a suspension bridge involves tension. The main cables carry the tension caused by the weight of the deck and the traffic on it. This tension is then transferred to the anchorages, which are massive structures designed to resist these forces. The towers of the bridge are primarily in compression, supporting the main cables and transferring their load to the foundations.

The earliest forms of suspension bridges were rudimentary, often using ropes or chains. Modern suspension bridges, however, utilize high-strength steel cables and sophisticated engineering to create durable and aesthetically pleasing structures. They are particularly well-suited for crossing wide bodies of water or deep valleys where building intermediate supports would be difficult or impossible. Famous examples of suspension bridges include the Golden Gate Bridge and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. The design of a hængebro requires careful consideration of wind forces, as the long, flexible spans can be susceptible to oscillation.