Evolution of Bridge Technology

The evolution of bridge technology can be divided into two major eras: The Arch Era, from 2000 BC to the end of 18th century, was dominated by the Roman structures. They were practically all stone arches. The Contemporary Era that followed and continues today, flourished after steel was commercially available as a construction material in the mid 19th century. All modern bridge types including girder bridges, cable-stayed bridges, suspension bridges and arch bridges, especially those with larger spans, have been possible only because of the high strength of steel, both in compression and in tension.