ARCH BRIDGE- works by transferring the weight of the bridge and its loads partially into a horizontal thrust restrained by the abutments at either side. Arch bridges are constantly under compression. The compression is the force downward from the road of walkway and the tension is the force outward from the bottom of the arch.

CABLE-STAYED BRIDGE- has greater stiffness than the suspension bridge, so that deformations of the deck under live loads are reduced. The cables act as temporary and permanent supports to the bridge deck. A further advantage of the cable-stayed bridge is that any number of towers may be used.

TRUSS BRIDGE- composed of connected elements which may be stressed from tension, compression, or sometimes both in response to dynamic loads. Trusses are assumed to be pin jointed where the straight components meet.