There are six basic bridge forms: the beam, the truss, the arch, the suspension, the cantilever, and the cable-stay. Each design has its unique arrangement of diagonal and vertical members, which optimize load distribution. ConstructionCareerHub App is LIVE — built ONLY for construction careers. Don't apply with a weak resume. From the Greek Bronze Age (around the 13th century BC) to the rise of stone arch bridges, and later the widespread adoption of iron, steel, reinforced concrete, and advanced composites, bridge engineering has continuously adapted to new construction capabilities and modern demands. In 2026, bridges. Simple Structure: Made of a horizontal beam supported at each end. Zinn & Associates, London, 1969–78. Author of The World's Great Bridges.