Why is structural redundancy important in bridge design?

Structural redundancy is a fundamental aspect of bridge design because it enhances the safety and stability of the structure by ensuring that loads can be transferred through alternate paths if one component fails. By providing continuous load paths from span to span, redundancy mitigates the risk of catastrophic failure, as the load can still be carried by the remaining structural elements.

This feature is crucial in bridge design because it addresses uncertainties and variabilities in material behavior, loading conditions, and unforeseen damage that may occur over time. If one part of the structure is compromised, the presence of redundancy allows the remaining parts to take on additional loads without leading to total failure, consequently increasing the longevity and reliability of the bridge.