Lila and Andy learn about Bridges: A Young Structural Engineer's Guide to How Bridges Cross Rivers and Valleys - Paperback

by Kenneth Adams (Author)

How do bridges hold up cars and trucks without falling down? Join Lila & Andy as they discover the amazing science behind bridge engineering!

When Lila and Andy explore bridge engineering with their structural engineer dad, young readers discover the fascinating world of bridge spans, pylons, and suspension cables. Learn how arch bridges use curved strength to support loads, why cantilevers extend from single support points, and how engineers choose materials based on span length and site conditions.

This revised and updated second edition includes a comprehensive quiz to test understanding, a detailed glossary of related bridge terms, and a list of exciting career opportunities, making it an ideal resource for educators and curious young minds.

In this book, you will discover:

• How different bridge types work, from simple beam bridges to complex suspension structures
• How engineering design processes consider dead loads, live loads, and environmental forces
• Why structural engineers select concrete, steel, timber, or stone for different bridge projects
• Different bridge components, including superstructures, substructures, and underground foundations
• Real-world applications kids see daily, from highway overpasses to historic covered bridges
• How specialized bridges like aqueducts carry water, and viaducts span wide valleys

This bridge engineering adventure combines storytelling with real structural science, giving young learners a solid introduction to STEM careers in civil and structural engineering.

This book is perfect for:

• Young readers fascinated by how bridges connect places and carry traffic (ages 8-14)
• Teachers building STEM curriculum around physics or structural engineering units
• Homeschool families looking for hands-on structural engineering resources
• Future engineers who love understanding the structural marvels that span rivers, valleys, and roads

Part of the "Lila and Andy Learn" STEM series, where every title turns science into an adventure kids want to read.