Components
of a
Bridge
Julian E. Pura | BSCE-4A Bridge Engineering
2 Major Components
● SUBSTRUCTURE
○ the component that supports the
superstructure and distributes the
load to the bridge footings and
foundation.
● SUPERSTRUCTURE
○ the part of the bridge that absorbs
the live load.
Substructure
the component that supports the
superstructure and distributes the load to
the bridge footings and foundation.
Abutments
components of bridge vertical
structures that are used to
keep the soil behind the
building. The dead as well as
the live loads of the bridge
superstructure are assisted by
the bridge abutments.
Wing Wall
structures built as an
extension of the abutments to
hold the earth current in the
access bank are termed wing
walls
Piles
piles are generally placed to
support the bridge as well as
build up the initial base. The
piles allow the weight and
tension of the bridge to be
spread uniformly through the
earth, making it secure and
solid.
SCOUR - is the engineering term for the erosion of soil surrounding a bridge foundation. It happens
when a fast-moving water around a bridge removes sediment from around the bridge foundation, and
will leave behind scour holes causing bad impact in the integrity of the bridge.
Pile Caps
pile caps include extra load
transfer power to the stacks.
These also are recognized as
pile caps, since they are put
right at the top of the pile base.
Caps are also constructed of
very strong concrete to provide
optimum protection to the roof
of the bridge.
Piers
vertical framework components
of the bridge that are used to
stabilize the deck or even the
bearings required for the
movement of the load to the
underground soil via the
foundation. Such systems act
as reinforcement for bridge
spans at intermediate stages.
Pier Caps
the topmost part of a pier that
transfers loads from the
superstructure to the pier. It is
also known as headstock. It
provides sufficient seating for
the girders and distributes the
loads from the bearings to the
piers.
the part of the bridge that absorbs the
live load.
Bearings
bearing is a device which
supports the parts of
superstructure and transfers
loads and movements from the
deck to the substructure and
foundation.
This type of bearing is
elastomeric bearing,
meaning it is made of
multi-layer rubber sheets
and steel plates that are
bonded and pressed inside
the rubber sheets
Girders
components of a bridge that
joins together both of the pile
caps by expanding across
them. Girders are often related
to beams that provide
protection to the deck.
Deck
a structural element of its
superstructure, it may be
constructed of concrete, steel,
open grating, or wood.
Sometimes the deck is covered
by a railroad bed and track,
asphalt concrete, or other form
of pavement for ease of vehicle
crossing.
Barriers
components of the bridge that
is barriers are Primarily safety
and security elements, bridges
have walls on the sides of their
decks. They may be custom-
built fixtures, chains, rails,
barriers, or concrete walls for
improved aesthetics.
Bridge Tower
the vertical supporting part
used for cable-stayed or
suspension bridges. High-
strength concrete and Insitu
method are adopted to
construct the bridge tower.
Bridge Anchor
bridge anchor is only used in
suspension and cable-stayed
bridges to resist the pull from
suspension cable or counter
span of the bridge
Suspension Cable
it is used in suspension and
cable-stayed bridges for the
hanging, supporting and
counter balancing of the bridge
deck.
Trusses
components of a bridge
rendered by combining the
triangular elements to separate
the loads as well as bend the
moments across the bridge.
Other types are plain trusses,
suspension, and cantilever
trusses.
Arches
the bridge with the arches does
have a great deal of
momentum. Arches may help
monitor the stability and load-
bearing strength of the bridge.
The amount of arches as well
as materials used during
building is very significant.
Thank you!
