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Kōrero: Bridges and tunnels

Types of bridges

  • Beam

  • Truss

  • Arch

  • Suspension

Tension Compression Reaction Load

This interactive illustrates the main types of bridges used in New Zealand. The major challenge for bridge builders was how to carry weight over a long span without intermediate supports. The arrows on the drawings show how the weight is dispersed to ensure that the bridges are stable and can carry loads.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Jock Phillips, Bridges and tunnels – Types of bridges, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/interactive/23634/types-of-bridges (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Jock Phillips, i tāngia i te 10 March 2010, updated 1 August 2024.