1. Bridges Vocabulary

2. Bridge  A structure used to help people cross valleys, rivers and bodies of water

3. Civil Engineer  A person that deals with the planning, construction and maintenance of structures

4. Pier  A post that supports the middle of a bridge

5. Abutment  The end support of a bridge

6. Span  The distance between two supports

7. Load  The combined forces that the bridge must support

8. Truss  A series of triangles used to strengthen a bridge

9. Chord  Horizontal or flat part of a truss

10. Web member  Diagonal part of a truss

11. Compression  Force that pushes together

12. Tension  Force that stretches or pulls apart

13. Keystone  The final wedge set in place at the top of an arch

14. Suspend  To be held up or supported

15. Anchorages  Massive rock or concrete structures used to hold the end of the cables in place

16. Torsion  A twisting force

17. Resonance  A force that is the waves or vibrations in a structure