Bascule bridge is a suitable type of movable bridge for most situations Not only does it structurally sound and reliable but also both construction and operation can be carried out economically. A bascule bridge is defined as a type of movable bridge whose main girders can be lifted along with the deck about a hinge located at the end of the span, and it can be designed as either single or double leafed depending on its width. Bascules are often selected for narrow to moderately wide channels where unlimited vertical clearance is required for navigation They have been built in many configurations Usually, a bascule leaf is comprised of two longitudinal bascule girders, or trusses, which support the roadway deck framing.
A bascule bridge is a movable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances a span, or leaf, throughout its upward swing to provide clearance for boat or ship traffic It may be single or double leafed. “for all bascule bridges, the movable leaves should be balanced such that the center of gravity with the span fully seated is located towards the channel at an angle no greater than 20 degrees above or below a horizontal line passing through the trunnion.” A bascule bridge is a movable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances a span, or leaf, throughout its upward swing to provide clearance for boat or ship traffic. This document provides an overview of bascule bridges It describes how bascule bridges operate based on a seesaw principle with counterweights helping to balance the bridge