What kind of a bridge is the tower bridge?

Answer 1

No, it isn't. A beam bridge is a beam supported at each end. If you need to cross a ditch one way is to simply span it with a one inch board, then walk across. This is a simple beam bridge.

Tower bridge is a bascule bridge. A beam bridge wouldn't do here because the bridge is located downstream of the Pool of London and London docks. Very large ships needed access to this dock area which meant good width and a high overhead clearance. Tower bridge has a tower at each end, with the towers connected to each other by a gantry close to their tops. The roadway, which is not very high above the river, is in two pieces. Each piece is hinged at the tower end, and can be raised to an almost vertical position. When a large ship needs to pass through the bridge, the two bascules are raised, then lowered again as soon as the ship is through.

The name Tower bridge has nothing to do with the towers at either end. The bridge is located very close to the Tower of London, a fortress that was put there about 700 years previously.

Answer 2

It is a combined bascule and suspension bridge.

Answer 3

Tower Bridge is a combined suspension and bascule bridge.