NOVA Online | Secrets of Lost Empires | China Bridge

Arch Bridge

China bridge site with bridge in place

That's right. A variation of the arch bridge works wonderfully here. This Chinese Rainbow Bridge was recently reconstructed by a NOVA team of specialists. The elegant arch is high enough to allow boats to pass underneath.

Congratulations! You've solved the puzzle. You're ready to roll out the blue prints and strap on a hard hat.

As you were playing this game, you may have thought, "Gee, I wish I could combine some of these bridges—say, build a continuous beam bridge across the bay, but put a cable-stayed bridge in the middle to create a shipping channel." Well, in the real world, engineers often do exactly that, creating "hybrid bridges" that are tailor-made to a given situation.

A few words of caution. For the sake of clarity, this game has oversimplified what, in the real world of engineering, are very complex decisions and principles. To learn more, consult our resources page and, of course, your local library.

NOVA Builds a Rainbow Bridge | Bridge the Gap | Nature's Miracle Material
China's Age of Invention | Resources | Transcript

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