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Table of Contents




Golden Gate Bridge [1]

What are Bridges?

  • A bridge is a structural component built to span a physical obstacle, such as water, a valley, or road.
  • The purpose of a bridge it to allow passage over the obstacle


Components of a Bridge [2]

Characteristics of Bridges

Abutment

  • Abutments are the elements at the end of a bridge.
  • They absorb the forces exerted on the bridge and act as a retaining wall that prevent the earth from moving under the bridge.



Diagram of a Abutment [3]Abutment [4]


Beam

  • A beam is a structural component on a bridge which resists loads applied to it and responding with reaction forces at the support points of the beam.


Beam [5]

Bent

  • A bent is a structural element which is used to construct a trestle, and is a key support in many bridges.


Bent [6]

Bridge Bearing

  • A bridge bearing is the resting surface between the piers and deck of a bridge.
  • This allows for controlled movement due to thermal expansion or contraction as well as any seismic shaking that may occur.
  • Different bearings allow for back and forth motion while others can allow twisting as well.


Bearing [7]

Counterweight

  • A counterweight is used on bridges that have a bridge lift system
  • A counterweight is a weight that stabilizes and provides balance for this bridge lift system.


Counterweight [8]

Deck

  • The deck of a bridge is also known as the roadway. It allows for vehicles and pedestrians to travel across the bridge.
  • Decks are usually constructed of either concrete, steel, or wood. They are then covered with asphalt or concrete.


Deck [9]

Elastomeric Bridge Bearing

  • This type of bearing is designed to compress under a vertical load, allow for horizontal rotation and lateral shear movement.


Elastomeric Bearing [10]

Foundation

  • The foundation is the element that connects the bridge to the earth and allows for loads to be transferred from the bridge to the ground.


Foundation [11]

Girder

  • A girder is the main horizontal beam on a bridge. It is used to support the smaller beams located throughout the bridge.


Girder [12]

Guard Rail

  • A guard rail is the system of rails on the outside of bridges to prevent vehicles or pedestrians from falling off the bridge.


Guard Rail [13]

Pier

  • A pier is utilized in bridges that span a body of water.
  • The pier is the structure that sits in a body of water to support the bridge.
  • Piers are spread out under a bridge to allow water to flow through so that pressure is not built up against the piers.


Pier [14]

Pile

  • A pile is a vertical support that is used to hold up a bridge.
  • A pile is hammered down to the hard sub layer of earth and is constructed of wood, concrete, or steel.


Pile [15]

Side Plate

  • A side plate is a linear bearing that is part of the expansion joint of a bridge.
  • One plate is fixed while the other is able to slide to accommodate expansion and contraction.

Superstructure

  • The superstructure is the part of the bridge that absorbs the live load.


Superstructure Diagram [16]

Types of Bridges (Page Link)

Bridge Use Cases


References 

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