There are many different parts that can be combined in various ways, depending on the type of bridge being built, but no matter what, every bridge has at least one of these components: piers, abutments, struts, arches and decking. Table of Contents How different parts of bridge work together?
- Abutments.
- Piers.
- Wing Walls.
- Beam & Girders.
- Bearing.
- Arch & Cables.
- Parapet Wall and Handrail.
- Flooring.
What are the components of a bridge?
Superstructure Components of Bridge
- Girders. Girders are also components of a bridge that joins together both of the pile caps by expanding across them.
- Trusses. Trusses are components of bridge rendered by combining the triangular elements to separate the loads as well as bend the moments across the bridge.
- Barriers. ...
- Arches. ...
- Decks. ...
- Bearings in Bridges. ...
What are the four types of bridges?
There are 4 major types of bridges. Beam - The beam type is the simplest type of bridge. The beam bridge could be anything as simple as a plank of wood to a complex structure. It is made of two or more supports which hold up a beam. Arch - In the arch type of bridge, weight is carried outward along two paths, curving toward the ground.
What are the benefits of a bridge?
The Positive Economic Impacts of Bridges
- Economic impact of bridge infrastructure. Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers releases a Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.
- Economic impact of bridge worker wages. ...
- Examples of the economic benefit of new bridge construction. ...
- Conclusion. ...
What are the properties of a bridge?
The Mechanical Properties Of Steel Bridges
- Strength. Though steel is one of the strongest materials on earth, other alloys can be introduced during the manufacturing process that have an impact on the steel’s strength.
- Toughness. It is natural for materials to contain some imperfections. ...
- Ductility. ...
- Weldability. ...
- Durability. ...
What are parts of bridges called?
They include:Pile - A concrete post that is driven into the ground to act as a leg or support for the new bridge. ... Cap - The cap sits on top of a group of piles and will help disperse pressure to the piles below.Bent - This is the combination of the cap and the pile. ... Girders - Girders are like the arms of the bridge.More items...
What are the basic components of a bridge?
Components Parts of a Bridge – Concrete and Steel Bridges Parts and DetailsPiers.Abutments.Wing Walls and Returns.Parapets and Handrails/ Guard Rails or Curbs.Foundation of Bridges.
What is the main part of a bridge called?
SuperstructureSuperstructure: The superstructure is the part of the bridge that absorbs the live load. (The abutment, piers, and other support elements are referred to as the substructure.) Truss: Part of the structure frame based on the geometry of the strength of the triangle.
What is the most important part of a bridge?
The Main ComponentsThe main part of a bridge is its superstructure. ... The substructure of a bridge is the component that supports the superstructure and distributes the load to the bridge footings and foundation. ... A Beam bridge, sometimes called a stringer or girder bridge, is one of the most basic types of bridge.More items...•
What are 4 types of bridge structures?
Beam bridge.Arch bridge.Truss bridge.Suspension bridge.
What are the 5 main components of a truss bridge?
Structurally, Arete Structures truss bridges contains five fundamental elements:Foundation/abutments and piers (for multi-span)Truss.Floor beams and outriggers that connect and support the two trusses.Stringers sit on top of the floor beams and support the decking.Decking.
What are the legs of a bridge called?
Piles and Piers You can think of them as the legs of the bridge because they look just like your legs when you're standing. Piles are slender vertical supports that are driven into the ground below a bridge, even if that ground is below water.
What is a structural element of a bridge?
The major three bridge components are Substructure (Abutments, Piers, Wing Walls) Superstructure (Beams, girders, Bearing, Arch, Cables, Parapet wall, handrail, Flooring) Adjoining structure (Approaches, Guard Stones)
What's the side of a bridge called?
Side plate: A side plate is a linear bearing that is used as a part of an expansion joint of a bridge. One plate is typically fixed, and the other slides over it to accommodate expansion and contraction. This provides the bridge structure with support while accommodating shifts in temperature.
What are the names of bridge hands?
There are special names for specific types of hands. A ten, jack, queen, king, or ace is called an "honor." Getting the three top cards (ace, king, and queen) of three suits and the ace, king, and queen, and jack of the remaining suit is called 13 top honors.
What is the foundation of a bridge?
A bridge foundation is the part built under the pier or abutment and over the fundamental soil or rock. The loads sent by the foundations to the subordinate soil should not cause soil shear failure or harming settlement of the superstructure.
What are the 5 main bridge types?
There are five types of bridges, and these are, Girder, arch, cable, rigid framed and truss. Each has its unique features and uses. This is a bridge in its simplest and most common form. A log across a stream is an example of this structure.
What is the strongest structure for a bridge?
Even though the truss bridge design has been around for literally centuries it is widely regarded as the strongest type of bridge.
What is a beam on a bridge?
A beam or "girder" bridge is the simplest and most inexpensive kind of bridge. According to Craig Finley of Finley/McNary Engineering, "they're basically the vanillas of the bridge world." In its most basic form, a beam bridge consists of a horizontal beam that is supported at each end by piers.
What are the 8 main types of bridges?
Types of BridgesArch Bridges. Arch bridges – use arch as a main structural component (arch is always located below the bridge, never above it). ... Beam Bridges. ... Truss Bridges. ... Cantilever Bridges. ... Tied Arch Bridges. ... Suspension Bridges. ... Cable-Stayed Bridges. ... Moveable Bridges.More items...
What is a small bridge called?
What Is Culvert? A small bridge having total length of 6 m or less between the faces of abutments is known as a culvert. Drainage structures like culverts are used on highways, streets, and railways to transfer unwanted water from the road.
What are the 3 main types of bridges?
Three basic types of bridges used in transportation are: beam and truss bridges, arch bridges and suspension bridges.
What is abutment in bridge?
Abutments are used at the ends of bridges to retain the embankment and to carry the vertical and horizontal loads from the superstructure to the foundation, as illustrated in Figure 12.1-1.
What is a deck in bridges?
A deck is the surface of a bridge. 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.
What are the parts of a bridge truss?
In a truss bridge, two long - usually straight members known as chords - form the top and bottom; they are connected by a web of vertical posts and diagonals. The bridge is supported at the ends by abutments and sometimes in the middle by piers.
What are the 3 main components of a bridge?
The main components of a bridge are the foundation, substructure, and the superstructure.
What are the components of a steel bridge?
It consists of piers and abutment shafts or walls, hammerhead, bedblock, pedestals and bearings and various other components. Sub-structure consists of piling works, footings, shafts, diaphragm walls, coping, all pertains to the foundation of structure. A girder may be made of concrete or steel.
What are the components of a bridge truss?
In a truss bridge, two long - usually straight members known as chords - form the top and bottom; they are connected by a web of vertical posts and diagonals. The bridge is supported at the ends by abutments and sometimes in the middle by piers.
What are the components of suspension bridge?
A suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck is hung below suspension cables on vertical suspenders. The basic structural components of a suspension bridge system include stiffening girders/trusses, the main suspension cables, main towers, and the anchorages for the cables at each end of the bridge.
What are the components of a bridge above the bearing called?
The components of the bridge above the bearing are known as superst ructures.
What is the substructure of the bridge?
Substructure components of a bridge below the level of bearings is known as Substructure. It consists of the following.
What is the purpose of bearings on bridges?
The main function of bearing to allow free movement or vibration of the top superstructure and reduce effect stress to reach the bridge foundation.
What is the role of abutments in a bridge?
It also plays the role of retaining walls to resist lateral movement of the earthen fill of the bridge approach. Abutment of Bridge. The abutment can also be defined by the structure supporting one side of an arch , or masonry used to resist the lateral forces.
What is the function of substructure?
The function of the substructure is to support the superstructure components and transmit their loads safely to the subsoil,
What are cables and arches used for?
Arch and Cables. Arched and Cable both have specified used. Arches are used for arch bridge construction and cable is used for suspension, cable-stayed bridge, etc. For different types of bridge construction arches and cables play a vital role.
What is the top surface of a bridge made of?
Its top surface of bridge roadway on vehicle travel. It is made of concrete or bituminous road.
What is the main part of a bridge?
The main part of a bridge is its superstructure. The superstructure bears the weight of the load as it passes through the bridge. It comprises the deck slab, girders, truss, etc. The specific components vary based on the type of bridge and its materials such as concrete or steel.
What is a beam bridge?
A Beam bridge, sometimes called a stringer or girder bridge, is one of the most basic types of bridge. Its design consists of horizontal beams and vertical piers that typically include two or more spans with an abutment or pier at each end.
How does a truss bridge work?
Truss bridges function by transferring the weight of the load from a single point to a wider area. When the load is applied to the truss bridge the pressure is shared among the triangular designs for additional support and then redirected to the earth through the bridge’s substructure.
Why are bridges important?
Nowadays, bridges have become commonplace in our modern society. They offer great solutions to problems such as carrying heavy loads across long distances or providing a safe route for pedestrians and vehicles.
Where is the load applied on a bridge?
In this design, the load is compressed on the top of the bridge and then applied down the piers to the earth.
How different parts of bridge work together?
A structure which spans horizontally between supports and is built to provide passage across a river, stream, road, or any other physical obstruction, is called a bridge. The span of a bridge is limited because of high deflections induced under loads.
Arch Bridge
As the name implies, this bridge is in the shape of an arch and arch phenomenon is used to transfer loads. This bridge is curved in shape and loads are not applied directly downwards, instead loads are carried through the curved portion to the end supports called abutments. From abutments, loads are carried to the ground.
Beam Bridge
Beam bridges consist of heavy beams which are supported on piers. These beams are simply supported on supports. Loads are transferred through the beams to the supports and are finally carried to the ground.
Truss Bridge
A truss bridge is constructed by a framework of interconnected trusses which are usually triangular in shape. Trusses are rigid, lightweight, and can transfer heavy loads.
Suspension Bridge
This type of bridge is constructed by suspending deck slab with suspension cables. These cables are connected to towers and secured by anchors on both sides of the deck slab. These anchorages are made up of massive concrete blocks. A truss arrangement is provided underneath the deck slab to stiffen the overall structure.
Cable-Stayed Bridge
Cable stayed bridges are similar to suspension bridges except the arrangement that cables are directly connected to the towers without suspension cables. This is a modern bridge design. Longer spans are achieved using this type of bridge.
Parts of a bridge
Broadly speaking, a bridge is divided into two parts i.e. superstructure and substructure. Anything from girders to the above falls under superstructure, and all parts below the bottom of girders are components of substructure.
How many parts does a bridge have?
Bridges have three major parts, each of these parts has other components, and they include:
What are the abutments on an arch bridge?
These arches help control the load of the bridge by transferring the weight into a horizontal thrust controlled by the abutments at either side. Arch bridges are known for their strength. There are three main types of arches in arches in arch bridges, and they include a three-hinged arch, two-hinged arch, and fixed arch.
Why are bridge caps called pile caps?
They also support the piles in transferring load and stress evenly through the ground. They are made of very heavy concrete so that they do the best job of providing support for the upper part of the bridge.
What are girders made of?
These are made mainly from either concrete or metal. They are also sometimes called the beam, and their job is to provide some support for the deck of the bridge. Girders extend over all the pile caps joining all of them together. Depending on the bridge’s length, girders can either be multiple-span or single-span. Like most other parts of the bridge, girders also do their part in improving stress and load resistibility on the bridge, i.e., helping pass all pressure of the bridge down to the bridge’s foundation.
What is a bent bridge?
Bents is simply a name that describes piles and caps placed together. The foundation of every bridge is made up of multiple bents.
Why are piles needed for bridges?
Piles ensure that every stress or weight applied on the bridge is spread evenly through the ground. This makes the bridge a lot stronger.
What are trusses made of?
Trusses are made up of series of triangular components that serve to spread loads and bending moments all around the bridge. There are several types of trusses, some of which include cantilever trusses, simple trusses, and suspension trusses. Trusses are essentially load-bearing structures, and they are typically made up of several triangles, which could be metal or wooden. Trusses are triangular-shaped because it is impossible for a triangle to be distorted by stress, so trusses provide a steady form to support huge external loads over a great span.
What are the elements at the ends of a bridge?
Abutment: Abutments are the elements at the ends of a bridge, which provide support for it. They absorb many of the forces placed on the bridge and act as retaining walls that prevent the earth under the approach to the bridge from moving. Arch: An arch is a curved structure that spans an open space.
What is the primary structural support element for a bridge?
In some modern bridges, such as tied arch or cable-stayed bridges, the deck is the primary structural support element. Elastomeric bridge bearing: This is a bearing type commonly used on modern bridges. It is designed to compress under a vertical load, while allowing for horizontal rotation and lateral shear movement.
Why are two hinged bridges used?
A two-hinged arch is generally used on mid-sized bridges because the pinned connection at the base is better able to handle temperature fluctuations. A three-hinged arch is not only hinged at its base but also at the middle of the bridge span.
What is an arch bridge?
Arch: An arch is a curved structure that spans an open space. Bridges featuring arches were among the earliest large-scale engineering and construction projects. Arch bridges can span vast areas because they transform the forces affecting them into compressive stresses, which eliminates tensile stresses.
What is a cantilever bridge?
Counterweight: A counterweight, typically used on lift bridges, draw bridges, or bascule bridges, is a weight that stabilizes and provides balance for the bridge lift system.
What is the foundation of a bridge?
Foundation: The foundation (or base) of a bridge is the element that connects the structure to the earth and transfers loads from it to the ground below. Girder: A girder is the main horizontal support beam on a bridge. It supports the smaller beams.
What are the different types of arches?
There are three types of arches: fixed arch, two-hinged arch, and three-hinged arch. Arch bridge. A fixed arch is most commonly used on shorter, concrete bridges. Use of fixed arches is limited because they’re vulnerable to temperature-related expansion and contraction.
What are the structural elements of a bridge?
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.
How are bridge piers constructed?
Usually, bridge pier is constructed by in situ method with large panel formwork.
What is a pier in a bridge?
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.
What is a beam in a deck?
Beam or girder is the part of superstructure which bends along the span. The deck is supported by beams.
What is a bridge anchor?
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.
What is a pile cap?
Pile cap is a thick reinforced concrete slab cast on top of the group piles to distribute loads.
What are the three parts of a bridge?
During the design process, every bridge can be divided broadly into three parts. Superstructure. Substructure.
What is a beam on a bridge?
Beam or girder is that part of superstructure structure which is under bending along the span. it is the load bearing member which supports the deck. Span is the distance between points of support (eg piers, abutment). Deck is bridge floor directly carrying traffic loads.
What is a pier cap?
Pier Cap / Headstock is the component which transfers loads from the superstructure to the piers. Pier cap provide sufficient seating for the Bridge girders and disperse the loads from the bearings to the Piers.
What is the component that transfers loads from the substructure to the bearing strata?
Foundation. Foundation is the component which transfers loads from the substructure to the bearing strata. Depending on the geotechnical properties of the bearing strata, shallow or deep foundations are adopted. Usually, piles and well foundations are adopted for bridge foundations.
What is a superstructure?
Superstructure. Superstructure that part of the structure which supports traffic and includes deck, slab and girders. All the parts of the bridge which is mounted on a supporting system can be classified as a Super structure.
What is a pile foundation?
Pile foundation is the most commonly used foundation system for bridges. Pile is a slender compression member driven into or formed in the ground to resist loads. A reinforced concrete mass cast around the head of a group of piles to ensure they act together and distribute the load among them it is known as pile cap.
What are the three main areas of a bridge?
Three main bridge areas are Foundation, Substructure, and Superstructure. The components of the bridge are picked to fit not only its use case scenario (pedestrian, highway, railway, transit or industrial bridges) but also location on which it is built, the span between its main structural beams and their basic structure (arch, beam, cantilever, ...
What are the components of a bridge deck?
Barriers – Sides of the bridge decks usually have additional barrier components such as railings, handrails and ground fixtures.
What is a girder made of?
Girder sections are typically not made from a simple block of material but are made from truss network ( or Orthotropic beams) that increases their resistance to load. Girders can also be used as a part of rigid frame network where they are fully connected with frame legs (which can be inclined or in V shape).
What is a spandrel in a bridge?
Spandrel – Spandrels are the almost triangular space between the main pillar of the bridge and decking. Stone bridges use filled “closed” spandrels deck arches, while modern bridges made from metal use open spandrel deck arch configurations.
What is the combination of a pile and a cap called?
The combination of Pile and Cap elements is called Bent . Girder or Span – One of the main components of the bridge that connects all the Piles beams. It can consist from multiple simple spans, a single continuous span that is supported by multiple beams, cantilever spans and cantilever spans with the suspended span between them.
What forces did bridges have to endure?
Since the use of first simple bridges made from a single beam that had to endure all the forces of tension, compression, torsion and shear forces by itself, engineers and architects tried to develop new and better techniques for spanning the gaps between one point of terrain to another.
What is a deck beam?
Deck beam – Simple continuous decks are made from metal or reinforced concrete. They consist from sub-components such as approach slab (that part that connects main bridge decking with the ground on both sides of the bridge), expansion joint, drainage scupper, curb, running surface, footpath. Barriers – Sides of the bridge decks usually have ...
What are the different types of bridges?
What is the most common type of the bridge? There are 7 main types of bridges: Arch Bridge, Beam Bridge, Cable-stayed Bridge, Cantilever Bridge, Suspension Bridge, Truss Bridge, Tied Arch Bridge. The way in which the vertical/horizontal stresses are managed dictates the structure of different bridges. In some cases the deck area will be the ...
What is the most common type of the bridge?
The Beam Bridge is the most common type of the bridge. It is also the simplest to build – please see the detailed description above.
What is the most expensive type of bridge to build?
So, the answer to the question, what is the most expensive type of bridge to build is simple, a suspension bridge!
Why are suspension bridges so expensive?
There are a number of reasons why they tend to be so expensive. Firstly they offer the ability to span huge distances (up to 7000 feet) – a span which is out of the reach of other bridge designs. The size of the towers, materials used and the installation of what is known as a deck truss beneath the bridge deck all add to the significant costs. We have come a long way from the first suspension bridges which were apparently made of twisted grass. The cost of today’s larger suspension bridges will regularly exceed $1 billion!
Why are truss bridges important?
The role of these triangular elements is important because they effectively absorb tension and compression to create a stressed structure able to accommodate dynamic loads. This mixture of tension and compression ensures the structure of the bridge is maintained and the decking area remains uncompromised even in relatively strong winds.
What is a cantilever bridge made of?
The bridge works by using cantilevers which may be simple beams or trusses. They are made from pre-stressed concrete or structural steel when used to accommodate traffic.
What is the most expensive bridge?
The most expensive type of modern bridge is the suspension bridge often costing in excess of $1 billion.
How Different Parts of Bridge Work Together?
Arch Bridge
Beam Bridge
Truss Bridge
Suspension Bridge
Cable-Stayed Bridge
Parts of A Bridge
- Broadly speaking, a bridge is divided into two parts i.e. superstructure and substructure. Anything from girders to the above falls under superstructure, and all parts below the bottom of girders are components of substructure.
Superstructure Components
Substructure Components