A rope bridge in South America |
|
| Ancestor | None - this is a foundational type |
|---|---|
| Related | Inca rope bridge |
| Descendant | Simple suspension bridge |
| Carries | Pedestrians, livestock |
| Span range | short |
| Material | Grass or other rope, appropriate decking material |
| Movable | No |
| Design effort | low |
| Falsework required | No |
A rope bridge is a bridge constructed chiefly of rope. In its simplest form, it can be one or two ropes that bridge a river, enabling the traveller to be supported in their crossing and not be swept away. One rope above another, for feet and hands, may be referred to as a commando bridge.
More complicated rope bridges can involve the use of multiple ropes, and boards as footpaths. One of the most complex examples of a culture using these as permanent, rather than temporary crossings, is the Inca civilization.