Post on 22-Dec-2021
Bridge substructures consists of elements that support
the superstructure (deck, structural members and
railing of a bridge), and includes the following:
Piles: Load-bearing steel members driven deep into
the ground at footing locations to stabilize the
footing foundation. Piles transmit loads from
substructure units down to underlying rock layers.
Footings: Large blocks of reinforced concrete that
provide a solid base for the substructure and anchor
the substructure against lateral movements.
Footings serve to transmit loads borne by the
substructure to the underlying foundation material.
Abutments: Structures that support the extreme
ends of the bridges and confine the embankment,
allowing the embankment to be back-filled to grade
with the planned bridge deck.
Wing Wall: A short section of wall at an angle to a
bridge abutment, used as a retaining wall and to
stabilize the abutment.
Pier: Structure providing intermediate support
when a bridge is too long to be supported by
abutments alone.
Seat: The shelf on the face of a bridge abutment
that supports the end of the steel span.
I-84 Waterbury Project ▪ Bridge Substructure Elements
Center Pier; Harpers Ferry
Road Bridge
Wing Walls
Piles Driven for Abutment 2 Footing; I-84 Bridge
Bridge Abutment; Harpers
Ferry Road Bridge
Bridge Abutment 2; EB 25 Off Ramp Bridge
Bridge Abutment 1; EB 25 Off Ramp Bridge
Abutment 1; I-84 Bridge
Bridge Seat for Steel
(Superstructure) Placement