Bridges generally do not have the same shape and size. Bridges have many elements in common, for example to get people from one place to another safely and in the fastest way possible, to be able to support their own weight, all bridges have pillars that support the center of the bridge. Aspects that engineers must consider when designing and constructing bridges are the location and length of the bridge, the materials needed, and the type of bridge needed. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The first thing engineers need to consider is the location and length of the bridge because the distance along the length of the bridge they need to know so that they know what materials should be used e.g. if they are building a short bridge, fiber rope will be used the most. The wood would be used for bridges that will be located in public parks or private properties. Engineers need to know if the bridge will cross a river, a bay, or if they need to connect islands to the mainland. “The exact location of a bridge is carefully chosen to simplify construction, reduce costs and ensure the strength and durability of the bridge” (Woodford). Bridges can be fully used for many different things. When building a bridge, you need to know the weight of traffic that must cross the bridge. Will the bridge survive all the weather conditions that may arise, will it be able to withstand high winds and snow or will it start to rock back and forth until it breaks . The bridge must be able to support its own weight and of course that of all traffic. Engineers need to know what type of bridge they are going to design. Will it be an arch bridge, suspension bridge, girder bridge or truss bridge. “Civil engineers decide what type of bridge to build based on the weight or load the bridge must support, the distance the bridge must travel, and the forces of nature the bridge will have to withstand” (Lewis). Engineers need to know how long the bridge will be used primarily to reduce traffic. The arch bridge is the safest bridge in terms of traffic and weather conditions. It is the safest bridge because it can support the most weight among all other bridges. Engineers need to know what materials to use to create the safest bridge possible. They must know the width of the bridge, make guardrails and safety walkways. Materials used to build bridges include rope, wood, stone, iron and much more. They need to make sure all materials fit their budget and will last for years so they don't have to keep replacing them. “Material durability and maintenance requirements are important considerations, because the true cost of a bridge is not simply the initial construction expense but the total cost of building and maintaining the structure throughout of its lifespan” (bridge structure). All bridges must consist of piers that will support the center of the bridge. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized document now from our expert writers. Get a personalized essay. Materials, bridge type, location, and bridge length are what I think are the three most important things engineers need to consider. In order to create an affordable, safe and yet beautifully designed bridge. There are other considerations than 2019).!.