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Types of Real Bridges
Engineers build many types of bridges. Three main types are:
BEAM BRIDGE: The simplest type. A flat surface supported at both ends, like a plank across a stream. Your flat paper bridge is a beam bridge!
ARCH BRIDGE: A curved shape that pushes weight outward to the supports. Arches are incredibly strong. Ancient Romans built arch bridges 2,000 years ago that are still standing!
TRUSS BRIDGE: Made of triangles connected together. The triangle shape is the strongest shape in engineering because it cannot be pushed out of shape like a rectangle can.