All the basic constituents of bridges are arranged within three primary bridge areas like Foundation, Substructure and Superstructure.

Given below, the primary constituents of the modern bridges

DECK

Deck is the part that bears all the traffic.

SUPERSTRUCTURE

It is the part that provides support to the deck slab and girder and attaches one sub structure to the other. It signifies that all the elements of the bridge connected to a supporting system are classified as superstructure.

SUB STRUCTURE:

It belongs to the portions of the bridge which provide support to the superstructure and delivers all the structural loads of the bridge to the foundations. As for instance piers, abutments etc.

FOUNDATION

Foundation stands for the area that transfers loads to the bearing strata. The objective of foundation is to provide support to the piers, bridge towers, portal frames. Usually piles and wel foundations like H-pile, bore pile, pipe pile or precast concrete piles are mostly recognized.

GIRDER OR BEAM:

Beam or girder belongs to the portion of superstructure that bends along the span. Beams provide strong support to the deck.

PIER CAP

Pier cap belongs to the uppermost portion of a pier that transmits loads from superstructure to the pier. It is also called headstock. It offers adequate seating for the girders and allocates the loads from the bearings to the piers.

BRIDGE TOWER

It stands for the vertical supporting part that is employed for cable stayed or suspension bridge. To build up the tower of the bridge, high strength concrete and Insitu method are chosen.

PIER

Pier is the portion of the substructure that provides supports to the superstructure and transmits loads of super structure to the foundations. Pier is ideal for spanned bridges having highest width of deck up to 8 m (2 traffic lanes). The shape and size of pier is primarily based on aesthetics, site, space and economic limitations of the construction. Normally bridge pier is developed with in situ method with large panel formwork.

BRIDGE ANCHOR

Bridge anchor is only utilized in suspension and cable stayed bridges to withstand the pull from suspension cable or counter span of the bridge.

SUSPENSION CABLE

It is applied in suspension and cable stayed bridges for the hanging, supporting and counter balancing of the bridge deck.

BEARINGS

Bearing is a component that provides supports to the portions of superstructure and transmits loads and movements from the deck to the substructure and foundation. The objective of arranging a bearing is to facilitate controlled movement and reduce the related stress.

PILE CAP AND PILES

Pile stands for a slender member that is induced into the surrounding soil to withstand the loads. Pile cap stands for a solid reinforced concrete slab casted on top of the group piles to disperse loads.