Bascule bridge
A bascule bridge is a drawbridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf", throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic. Bascule is a french term for "teeter-totter" and bascule bridges operate along the same principal. They are the most common type of movable bridge in exisistance because they open quickly and require relatively little energy to operate.
Although the bascule bridge has been in use since ancient times, it was not until the 1880's that engineers developed the ability to move very long, heavy spans quick enough for practical application. The Tower Bridge in London, England was the first bascule bridge built to large scale and is argubaly the most famous bascule bridge in the world.
Types of Bascule Bridges
- Scherzer rolling lift bascule bridge
- Rall bascule bridge - patented by Theodore Rall in 1901.
- Strauss bascule bridge - patented by Joseph Strauss.
- Chicago or fixed-trunnion bascule bridge
See also
