Components of Bridge Construction | Bridge Construction Parts | Bridge Elements

This article will guide you on components of bridge construction and their parts, elements.

A bridge is a structure that carries moving loads over a deep valley or obstacle such as a river, channel, road, or railway. The first bridges were built in prehistoric times by bridging small waterways with fallen trees or togs of wood.

Components of Bridge

1. Superstructure Components of Bridge
2. Bearings
3. Substructure Components of Bridge
4. Superstructure Components of Bridge

Superstructure Components of Bridge

The components of a bridge’s superstructure are those that are above the bearings.

Beams or girders, arches, cables, handrails, parapet walls, and decks are among the superstructure components. The type of superstructure components, on the other hand, may vary depending on the type of bridge, for example, superstructure components for steel, concrete, and composite bridges.

The fundamental goal of superstructure components is to withstand the load that is immediately applied to them, transmitting the load to the substructure components. The bridge’s superstructure components are described in further detail below.

i) Beams and Girders
The beams and girders are used to support and prevent the road pavement from bending.

The majority of concrete bridges use beams.

ii) Arches and Cables
Arch bridges have arches, whereas suspension and cable-stayed bridges have cables.

In the case of arch bridges, the arches assist in resisting the forces exerted on the bridge.

iii) Parapet Walls and Handrails
The parapets and railings serve as the bridge’s protective safety features.

The automobiles are protected from tumbling out by a parapet. Aside from that, the parapet serves as a noise barrier and prevents garbage and trash from passing beneath it. The parapet also serves as a barrier between two traffic streams.

iv) Deck
The deck is made up of the highway or rail surface that allows vehicles to pass across the bridge. The deck is usually supported by beams or girders, which are in turn supported by piers or deep foundations with caps.

2. Bearings

Between the bridge girder and the pier cap, there is a bearing. The primary purpose of a bearing is to allow free movement or vibration of the upper superstructure while reducing the amount of stress that reaches the bridge foundation.

The various types of bearings used in bridges:

• Pin Bearing
• Roller Type Bearing
• Rocker Type Bearing
• Sliding Bearing
• Pot Bearing

3. Substructure Components of Bridge

The components of the bridge that are below the bearings are referred to as substructure components.

The fundamental goal of the substructure components is to transfer load from the superstructure to the earth layer underneath it.

• Abutments
• Piers
• Wing Walls
• Beam & Girders
• Bearing
• Arch & Cables
• Parapet Wall and Handrail
• Flooring
• Approaches
• Guard Stones