BRIDGE ENGINEERING

Abutment

Provides vertical supports at the bridge span ends.

Bearing

absorbs and transform loads while allowing controlled movements

Bridge Bearing

Structual elements that control vertical and lateral forces.

Cross Beam

Provides lateral Stability between girders.

Expansion Joint

Accomodates thermal expansion or contraction

Foundation

Transform bridges loads to the ground.

Girder

Main horizontal supports resisting bending forces.

Girder Bridge

Continous beams supported by piers.

Parapet or Barrier

Prevents vehicles from falling off the bridge.

Pier Cap

Distribute loads from superstructures to substructures

Pile Cap

Transfer loads from bridge to foundation piles.

Roadway or Deck

Provides a safe passage for vehicles and pedestrians

Span

Section of the beam between two supports

Arch Bridge

Relies on curved structure carrying loads in compression

Cable-Stayed Bridge

Deck is supported by diagonal cables from towers

Suspension Bridge

Use vertical cable from main suspension cables over towers

Dead Load

Weight of permanent bridge components

Dead Load of Wearing Surface

Includes asphalt overlays

Dynamic Load Allowance

Accounts for load variations from vehicles

Environmental Loads

External Forces like wind and earthquake

Fatigue and Fracture Limit State

Prevents failure from repeated stress cycle

Influence Line

Represents how unit loads affect structural responses

Live Loads distribution factors

Model use to distribute live loads across girders

Transient Loads

Loads varrying with time (traffic and wind)

AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications

Design Requirements for Bridges

Balanced Cantilever Method

Construction methods balancing segments on each side of the piers.

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Simulates complex bridge behaviors

Incremental Launching Method

Segments are cast and pushed forward

Shear Block

Resists horizontal shear loads

Structural Model

Determines how loads travel through a structure

Structual Health Monitoring

Real-time monitoring of bridge conditions

Structural Degradation

Reduction of strength over time

Load Testing

Process of verifying bridge performance under actual loads

UAV Inspection Technology

Drones used for bridge health monitoring