Bridges are a critical component of a country's infrastructure because they allow the transportation of raw resources and completed commodities to manufacturers. Bridges also make it easier for people to buy goods and services in their local areas and elsewhere. When a bridge closes, economic activity slows or stops entirely. The most typical materials for these types of structures are metal-based or concrete. Metal, in particular, is always in high demand due to the many advantages of steel . Other bridges require specialized materials or products for maintenance and quality purposes like steel with neoprene gasket due to its resistance to the elements. Although there are still bridges made of other materials like wood, these are few and now uncommon. Despite the differences, most of these structures possess similar components and parts due to their same function. These similarities are standard, as seen in many designs built today. The Components of a Bridge There are three ma...