STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS OF BRIDGE

Admin | July 24, 2017 | STRUCTURAL | 2 Comments

STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS OF BRIDGE:

1. DECK:
Deck is the portion which carries all the traffic.

2. SUPERSTRUCTURE:
The portion which supports the deck slab and girder and connects one sub structure to the other.
That means all the elements of the bridge attached to a supporting system can be categorized as
superstructure.

3. SUB STRUCTURE:
The parts of the bridge which support the superstructure and transmits all the structural loads of the
bridge to the foundations. For example piers, abutments etc.

4. FOUNDATION:
Foundation is the portion which transmits loads to the bearing strata. Foundation is required to
support the piers, bridge towers, portal frames. Generally, piles and well foundations such as H-pile,
bore pile, pipe pile or precast concrete piles are adopted.

6. GIRDER OR BEAM:
Beam or girder is the part of superstructure which bends along the span. The deck is supported by
beams.

7. BRIDGE TOWER:
It is the vertical supporting part used for cable stayed or suspension bridge. High strength concrete
and Insitu method are adopted to construct the bridge tower.
 Cable stayed
bridge
8. PIER CAP:
Pier cap is the topmost part of a pier which transfers loads from 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.

9. PIER:
Pier is the part of the substructure that supports the superstructure and transfers loads of super
structure to the foundations. Pier is suitable for spanned bridges with maximum width of deck up to 8
m (2 traffic lanes). The shape and size of pier mainly depend on aesthetics, site, space and
economic constraints of the construction. Usually, bridge pier is constructed by in situ method with
large panel formwork.
10. BEARINGS:
Bearing is a device which supports the parts of superstructure and transfers loads and movements
from the deck to the substructure and foundation. The main purpose of providing a bearing is to
permit controlled movement and decrease the stress involved.
11. PILE CAP AND PILES:
Pile is a slender member driven into the surrounding soil to resist the loads. Pile cap is a thick
reinforced concrete slab cast on top of the group piles to distribute loads.

Bridge Foundation
Pile Cap Process
12. 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.
13. SUSPENSION CABLE:
It is used in suspension and cable-stayed bridges for the hanging, supporting and counter balancing
of the bridge deck.