Read the descriptions (a-e) and match them with the types of engineering structures (1-5).

The Railway Track

Start up

1. What is the main difference between the railway and all other modes of transport?

1) The vehicles can reach high speeds.

2) The vehicles cannot leave the track.

3) The vehicles have wheels.

4) The vehicles use diesel engines.

Read the descriptions (a-e) and match them with the types of engineering structures (1-5).

a) a bridge, road, or railway that crosses over another road or railway

b) a series of spans or arches used to carry a road or railway over a wide valley

c) a sewer used to allow water to pass underneath a road, railway, or embankment

d) an underground passageway

e) a structure constructed to resist the lateral pressure of soil

3. Read the text and fill the gaps with a word from the list. Say what a bridge is and how bridges are classified?

A bridge is a ___ spanning and providing passage over a waterway, railway, or other ___. Beam bridges, the simplest type, are horizontal beams supported at each end by ___. When there is more than one span the intermediate supports are known as ___. Arch bridges are bridges with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch. Suspension bridges are suspended from ___. A cable-stayed bridge consists of one or more columns (referred to as pylons), with cables supporting the bridge deck. A frame-type bridge is a rigid frame structure in which the horizontal deck slab is made monolithic with the vertical abutment walls. A combined bridge consists of simple structures (beam + arch). Bridges can be designed for trains, pedestrians or road traffic. A road-rail bridge carries both road and rail traffic. The four materials are used for bridges: wood, stone, steel, and ___.