SUPERSTUCTURE

Prepared By:
SUGANOB, CHARLYN A.
 1.1.1 Terminology and Nomenclature

• As is the case with any profession, bridge engineering

possesses its own unique language which must first be
understood by the designer in order to create a uniform
basis for discussion.
Superstructure
• The superstructure
comprises all the
components of a
bridge above the
supports.
 Wearing Surface
• The wearing surface (course)
is that portion of the deck
cross section which resists
traffic wear. In some
instances this is a separate
layer made of bituminous
material, while in some other
cases it is a integral part of
concrete deck.
Deck
• The deck is the physical extension of the roadway across
the obstruction to be bridged. In this example, the deck is
a reinforced concrete slab.
• The main function of the deck is to distribute loads
transversely along the bridge cross section.
• The deck either rests on or is integrated with a frame or
other structural system designed to distribute loads
longitudinally along the length of the bridge.
Primary Members
• Primary members distribute loads longitudinally and are usually
designed principally to resist flexure and shear.

• Beam type primary members such as this are also called stringers
or girders. These stringers could be steel wide flange stringers,
steel plate girders (i.e., steel plates welded together to form an I
section), prestressed concrete, glued laminated timber, or some
other type of beam.
Small Fillet Or Haunch
• The primary function for the haunch is to adjust the
geometry between the stringer and the finished deck.
• It is also possible for the bridge superstructure to be
formed in the shape of a box (either rectangular or
trapezoidal).
• Box girder bridges can be constructed out of steel or
prestressed concrete and are used in situations where
large span lengths are required and for horizontally
curved bridges.
Secondary Members
• Secondary members are bracing between primary members
designed to resist cross-sectional deformation of the
superstructure frame and help distribute part of the vertical load
between stringers.
• They are also used for the stability of the structure during
construction.
• Secondary members, composed of crossed frames at the top or
bottom flange of a stringer, are used to resist lateral deformation.
This type of secondary member is called lateral bracing and
sidebar.
Channel-type Diaphragms
• Is used between rolled
section stringers
• The channels are bolted to
steel connection plates,
which are in turn welded to
the wide flange stringers
shown. Other types of
diaphragms are short depth,
wide flange beams or
crossed steel angles.
Terminologies:
ABRASION
• A weathering action causing a wearing away of a surface due to frictional or
similar forces, as in the abrasive action of wind or water transporting sediments
which grind against a surface.
ABSORPTION
• The process where a liquid is taken into the permeable pores of a solid body (as
in wetting of concrete). Absorption leads to an increase in the weight of the
porous solid.
ABUTMENT
• Earth-retaining structures supporting the superstructure at the beginning and
end of the structure.
ACCELERATION COEFFICIENT
• Dimensionless coefficient used to described ground motion due to seismic forces.
ACIDITY
• The measure of acids in a solution typically represented by a pH factor less than seven. In
surface water, acidity is initiated by carbon dioxide in the air, which forms carbonic acid.
ADHESION
• The sticking together of two different materials (e.g., clay to a concrete pile).
ADMIXTURE
• A material other than portland cement, aggregates, or water which is added to a concrete
batch prior to or during mixing (e.g., sand, clay, fly ash, hydrated lime).
ADVANCED DETAIL DESIGN
• Project level of completion just before submission of final plans. At this stage all major
portions of design should be complete.
AGGRADATION
• A condition in a water channel where, over a long period oftime, more sediment is added
to a stream bed than removed.
AIR ENTRAINMENT
• The process of adding air to concrete in order to increase durability while causing only a
small decrease in strength. Used in bridge decks to offer resistance to freeze-thaw cycles.
ALLIGATOR CRACKING
• Cracks in a wearing surface or approach pavement which form interlocking,
rectangular shapes (similar to an alligator’s skin). Typically initiated by
insufficient base support or concrete shrinkage.
ANCHORAGE
• A tie embedded in concrete, rock, or other fixed material (e.g., an anchor for a
post-tensioning tendon).
APPROACH
• Section of roadway immediately before and after the structure.
APPROACH PAVEMENT
• Used to describe an approach with a cross section either consistent with or
slightly wider than that of the overpass road.
APPROACH SLAB
• Used to describe an approach with a reinforced concrete slab. An approach slab
is used to prevent settlement of the approach pavement.
APPURTENANCE
• A feature that serves the overall functionality of the bridge site (e.g., railing, lighting, signing,
etc.).
APRON
• A concrete slab located underwater at the base of culverts to prevent scour (erosion) at the inlet
and outlet.
ARMORED JOINT
• A joint equipped with steel angles installed to protect the adjacent concrete edges.
AS-BUILT PLANS
• Plans issued after the construction of a structure reflecting any and all field changes made to the
final design plans.
ASPHALT
• A bituminous material, black in color, used in pavements and wearing courses. Typically made by
distilling petroleum oil.
AUGER
• Drill used to retrieve soil samples. See also Boring.
AXLE LOAD
• The total load on a truck axle. For most design vehicles this is twice the wheel load.
BACKFILL
• Retained fill as in the region behind an abutment backwall and beneath the approach.
BACKWALL
• The principal retaining component of an abutment above the bearing seat level.
BACKWATER
• The backing up of water in a water channel due to a downstream constriction or excess channel
flow.
BALUSTRADE
• A railing system comprised of short columns called balusters which are connected together by a
rail.
BASCULE BRIDGE
• A moveable bridge in which the deck opens up like a set of doors in an upward direction.
BASE COURSE
• A layer of compacted material directly under the wearing surface, typically consisting of mineral
aggregates and additives which are compacted to support the pavement.
BASE METAL
• The existing steel material to which another member is welded using an electrode.
BATCH
• Total weight of cement and aggregates which produces a given amount of concrete.
BATTER PILE
• A pile which is inclined (e.g., 1 horizontal on 3 vertical) in order to resist large lateral loads.
BEAM
• A horizontal member supporting vertical loads (e.g., pier cap beam, primary member).
BEARING
• Mechanical system which transmits loads from the superstructure to the substructure.
Expansion bearings allow longitudinal movement, while fixed bearings do not.
BEARING PLATE
• A steel plate which is used to transmit loads from the superstructure to the substructure.
BEARING STIFFENER
• A steel plate which is welded to the web directly above a bearing to resist bearing force.
 BEDROCK
• Underlying layer of rock on top of which rest various other layers of soil.
BENCHMARK
• A point with a known elevation and coordinates from which other survey points are referenced.
BENT
• A basic structural configuration consisting of a rigid frame with two or more vertical supports
connected by a horizontal member.
BERM
• Also, an older expression for the median in a dual highway.
BINDER COURSE
• A layer between the wearing surface and base course made of a bituminous material and
aggregate. See also Base Course.
BITUMEN
• The petroleum-based cementing component used in asphaltic binders.
BITUMINOUS CONCRETE
• Bituminous cement mixed with aggregate and filler material.
BLEEDING
• The flow of mixing water from within recently placed concrete.
BOLSTER
• In reinforced concrete, a support used for horizontal steel. Also known as a chair.
BORING
• A soil sample taken by drilling a hole in the ground and retrieving a portion for testing.
BOX CULVERT
• A culvert made out of a reinforced concrete box structure.
BOX GIRDER
• A superstructure design which utilizes a box-shaped tube as primary load carrying
member.
BRACE
• A structural member which is usually placed diagonally in order to provide stiffness to
a frame.
BREAST WALL
• A continuous wall, typically in front of an abutment backwall, upon which the
superstructure rests. Used in lieu of free-standing pedestals.
BRIDGE SEAT
• Refers to the surface on which a bearing rests. Also known as beam seat.
BRITTLE FRACTURE
• A sudden failure of a steel element prior to plastic deformation typically
occurring at a sharp change of section properties, or due to fatigue cracks.
BRUSH CURB
• A curb used in lieu of a sidewalk to provide wider travel lanes on a bridge
deck.
BS 5400
• The bridge design code used in the United Kingdom and issued by BSI
Standards. The code comes in 10 parts.
BUCKLING
• Sudden large and irreversible deflection in an axially loaded member
under compression.
BULB T-GIRDER
• A concrete I girder with a bulb shape at the bottom of the girder cross
section (e.g., AASHTO-PCI Type V and VI prestressed girders).
BUILT-UP MEMBER
• A steel member composed of various standard AISC shapes in order to
enhance section properties (used in many old bridges).
BUTT JOINT
• The joint between two pieces of metal in the same plane which have been
bolted or welded together.