Bridge Construction: Components and Types

Bridge Construction

• A bridge is a structure that carries a roadway, pathway, railway, etc. across a river or any other obstacles, allowing people or vehicles to cross from one side to the other.

Components of a Bridge

• A bridge consists of various parts, including:
  • Deck: the portion that carries all the traffic
  • Superstructure: the portion that supports the deck slab and girder and connects one sub-structure to the other
  • Substructure: the parts of the bridge that support the superstructure and transmit all the structural loads of the bridge to the foundations
  • Foundation: the portion that transmits loads to the bearing strata
  • Girder/Beam: the part of the superstructure that bends along the span and supports the deck
  • Bridge Tower: the vertical supporting part used for cable-stayed or suspension bridges
  • Pier: the part of the substructure that supports the superstructure and transfers loads of superstructure to the foundations
  • Pier Cap: the topmost part of a pier that transfers loads from the superstructure to the pier
  • Bearings: devices that support the parts of superstructure and transfer loads and movements from the deck to the substructure and foundation
  • Pile & Pile Cap: a slender member driven into the surrounding soil to resist the loads, and a thick reinforced concrete slab cast on top of the group piles to distribute loads
  • Bridge Anchor: used in suspension and cable-stayed bridges to resist the pull from suspension cable or counter span of the bridge
  • Suspension Cable: used in suspension and cable-stayed bridges for the hanging, supporting, and counter balancing of the bridge deck

Types of Bridges

• There are many different types of bridges, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of bridge type depends on factors such as location, span required, weight, and more.