Suspension Bridge Unit

The tie rods support a two section roadway that is equipped with a central hinge to demonstrate the bending moment. The roadway can be loaded using various weights. Two mechanical dynamometers measure the bearing forces. The set is intended for use with the universal test frame and demonstrates the behaviour of a suspension bridge as often to be seen in reality. Tie rods are hung from a double supporting cord, the length of the rods varies such that the cord is hung in a parabola shape. In this way the force distribution between the cords and roadway is determined for varying load cases. The forces in the supporting cords are measured using a further set of weights.