designed to work in tension. The main characteristic of a Whipple truss is that the tension members are elongated, usually thin, and at a shallow angle, and cross two or more bays (rectangular sections defined by the vertical members). Wichert truss The Wichert truss is a modified type of continuous truss which is statically determinate and helps avoid some of the other shortcomings of continuous trusses. It was patented in 1930 by Pittsburgh-based civil engineer Edward Martin Wichert (1883–1955). The defining feature of this truss type is a hinged kite-shaped section above each intermediate support. Only about ten Wichert truss bridges were ever built, mostly in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Of these, one of the best known is the Homestead Grays Bridge in Pittsburgh. Truss bridge video Driving across a truss bridge: The video shows the roadway perspective of a through truss bridge over the Willamette River in Harrisburg, Oregon, USA. The bridge features three simply supported Parker Truss spans. References Footnotes External links Bridge Basics – A Spotter's Guide to Bridge Design – from Pghbridges.com – Illustrates many of the various types of truss arrangements used in bridges. Historic Bridges of Michigan and Elsewhere – Many photos of truss bridges are available on this informative and mainly truss-focused bridge website. Historic Bridges of Iowa – An illustrated list of different architectural bridge types found in Iowa, USA. Many of these are truss bridges. Historic Bridges of the U.S. – An enormous database of historic bridges. Over 17,400 truss bridges are listed here. Iron and Early Steel Bridges of Ohio A comprehensive inventory of all remaining truss bridges in Ohio. Includes maps, photos, and invites visitor assistance in identifying extant or demolished bridges. Matsuo Bridge Company: Bridge Types – Truss Management Plan for Historic Bridges in Virginia: The 2017 Update—Virginia Department of Transportation's plan for managing its historic bridges, including metal truss bridges. The update includes sections on study findings such as "General Issues Regarding Metal and Metal Truss Bridges (Including Potential Life Span)," "Coatings Issues for Metal Truss Bridges: Painting, Metallizing, and Galvanizing," and "Truss Bridge Capacity and Overloading Potential." structurae.de The Structurae database on bridges. Bridges by structural type Articles containing video clips