1- Deck
The deck is the portion which carries all the traffic.
2- Superstructure
The portion which supports the deck slab and girder and connects one substructure to the other. That means all the elements of the bridge attached to a supporting system can be categorized as superstructure.
3- Substructure
The parts of the bridge which support the superstructure and transmits all the structural loads of the bridge to the foundations. For example piers, abutments etc.
4- Foundation
Foundation is the portion which transmits loads to the bearing strata. Foundation is required to support the piers, bridge towers, portal frames. Generally, piles and well foundations such as H-pile, bore pile, pipe pile or precast concrete piles are adopted.
5- Girder or beam
Beam or girder is the part of the superstructure which bends along the span. The deck is supported by beams.
6- Bridge tower
It is the vertical supporting part used for cable-stayed or suspension bridge. High strength concrete and Insitu method are adopted to construct the bridge tower.
7- Pier cap
Pier cap is the topmost part of a pier which transfers loads from superstructure to the pier. It is also known as headstock. It provides sufficient seating for the girders and distributes the loads from the bearings to the piers.
8- Pier
Pier is the part of the substructure that supports the superstructure and transfers loads of superstructure to the foundations. Pier is suitable for spanned bridges with a 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.
9- Bearings
Bearing is a device which supports the parts of the superstructure and transfers loads and movements from the deck to the substructure and foundation. The main purpose of providing a bearing is to permit controlled movement and decrease the stress involved.
10- Pile cap and piles
Pile is a slender member-driven into the surrounding soil to resist the loads. The pile cap is a thick reinforced concrete slab cast on top of the group piles to distribute loads.
11- 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.
12- Suspension cable
It is used in suspension and cable-stayed bridges for the hanging, supporting and counterbalancing of the bridge deck.
