Planning and designing of bridges is part art and part compromise, the most significant aspect of structural engineering. The importance of conceptual analysis in bridge-designing problems cannot be emphasized strongly enough. There is where Conceptual Bridge Design come handy.

The designer must first visualize and imagine the bridge in order to determine its fundamental function and performance. The structural design scheme of the bridge presents a complex problem for the structural designer despite the presence of modern technology and advanced computer facilities.

In many aspects, the design of bridges is based on exact analysis and for this reason it is analogous to the solution of mathematical problems, where the results are obtained by examining the problem data and utilizing mathematical methods to arrive at a solution.

The bridge should satisfy the basic requirements of safety and economic factors. Regarding the various bridge components, it is necessary to know that for engineering structures, the best solution should provide the appropriate material and carrying capacity.