There are four basic types of bridges: Arch, Beam, Suspension and Truss.  Other bridge types are variations or combinations of these four basic types.  Bridge types are named with regard to their superstructure, and the superstructure dictates how a bridge carries a load.

Arch Bridge

Loads on an Arch Bridge are transferred diagonally along the arch in compression, to the supports at each end.
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I am an Arch Bridge spanning over the Colorado River, between Arizona and Nevada in the USA.  What is my name? 

Mike O' Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge with an Arch Span Length of 1,060 Feet
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Beam Bridge

Loads on a Beam Bridge are transferred straight downward to supports at the beam ends. Large Beams are known as Girders. It is the most simple type of bridge.
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A log over a stream functions like a Beam Bridge and gets you to the other side! Am I a simple or continuous span?

Simple Span, where the beam ends are free to rotate under loads.
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Suspension Bridge

Loads on a Suspension Bridge are transferred in tension through vertical cables to main cables. The main cables transfer the loads to the bridge towers and substructure.
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I am a Suspension Bridge in San Fransisco, CA, USA.  What is my name?

The Golden Gate Bridge, constructed in 1937, with a 4,200 foot span between the bridge towers alone
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Truss Bridge

Loads on a Truss Bridge are transferred to supports through its vertical, diagonal, or horizontal truss members, in either tension or compression.
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I am a Truss Bridge on the Capital Crescent Trail in Washington, DC, USA.  What is my name? (Image: Alice_Crain under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) 

Arizona Avenue Railroad Bridge (This bridge carried trains in 1910. Then, rail traffic declined and eventually halted. In the 1990s, the bridge was converted from rail to trail use for bicyclists and pedestrians.)
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Cantilever Bridge

A Cantilever Bridge has a cantilever arm and anchor arm. It may also include a suspended span. A cantilever arm is a structure that extends outward from a support (such as a diving board). The anchor arm balances the cantilever arm on the opposite side.
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I am a Cantilever Bridge in Scotland.  

What is my name?

The Firth of Forth Bridge has an overall length of 8,276 Feet. It is also known as the Forth Bridge.
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Cable-Stayed Bridge

A Cable-Stayed Bridge transfers forces from the deck through individual cables to the towers.
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I am a Cable-Stayed Bridge in France.  

What is my name?

The Millau Viaduct (Viaduc de Millau)
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Floating Bridge

Floating Bridges have a deck that crosses over buoyant supports, such as boats or pontoons. These bridges are useful when a body of water is unusually deep or has a soft bottom. Cross bracing and anchors may be used for stability.
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I am the longest floating bridge in the world.  How long am I? (Image: WSDOT) 

State Route 520 (SR520) Floating Bridge in Washington State with a total length of 7,708.5 feet
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Movable Bridge

Movable Bridges combine mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering to create a dynamic structure. They come in many forms and allow for the passage (or restriction) of traffic.
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What American city has 44 Movable Bridges? 

Chicago, Illinois, USA
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