trestle bridge
Definition
Noun: A bridge supported by trestlework.
Usage
A trestle bridge is a specific type of bridge. Its defining characteristic is its support structure, which consists of a framework of short, closely spaced supports called trestles. These bridges are often made of timber or steel and are commonly used for railways, pedestrian paths, or as temporary structures.
Examples
- The old railway line crossed the valley on a long wooden trestle bridge.
- Engineers built a temporary trestle bridge to allow construction vehicles to cross the creek.
- We walked across the scenic trestle bridge in the state park.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Context: Trestle bridges were crucial during the expansion of railroads in the 19th and early 20th centuries, allowing tracks to be built quickly over difficult terrain like ravines and marshes.
- Engineering Distinction: The term specifically refers to the support system. A bridge can be a trestle bridge regardless of the material used for the deck or the span it covers.
Variants and Related Words
- Trestle (noun): A framework consisting of a horizontal beam supported by two pairs of sloping legs, used in pairs to support a flat surface like a tabletop or, in series, to support a bridge.
- Trestlework (noun): An assembly of trestles forming a supporting structure.
- Viaduct (noun): A long bridge-like structure, typically a series of arches, carrying a road or railway across a valley or other low ground. While similar in function, a viaduct is distinguished from a trestle bridge by its architectural form (e.g., arches vs. a braced framework).
Synonyms
- Supported bridge (general term)
- Framework bridge
Note: There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs associated with the compound noun "trestle bridge."
Noun
-
a bridge supported by trestlework
