What Is a Bridge Pier?

Bridge piers are sub-buildings and abutments supporting bridge span structures and transmitting dead load and vehicle live load to the foundation. The pier is between the two abutments. The function of the pier is to support the bridge span structure: In addition to the role of the abutment support to support the bridge span structure, it also needs to be connected with the embankment and prevent the embankment from sliding. In order to protect the analysis platform and embankment filling, some protection and diversion works are often done on both sides of the analysis platform. ^[1]

The intermediate support structure of a multi-span bridge is called a pier. Bridge pier is divided into solid pier, column pier, and erection pier. According to the plane shape, it can be divided into rectangular pier, pointed pier, circular pier and so on. The materials of building piers can be wood, stone, concrete, reinforced concrete, steel, etc.

The bridge pier is mainly composed of a cap and a pier body. The abutment is mainly composed of a top hat and a platform body. The function of the top cap is to transfer the large and concentrated force from the bridge span support to the pier and the platform. Therefore, the top hat should be constructed with high-strength materials. Generally, it is not less than 200 reinforced concrete buildings, and the thickness is not less than 40 cm. In addition, the top cap must have a large plane size to provide the necessary working surface for the construction of the beam and maintenance. Pier body and platform are the main structure supporting the bridge span. Not only can it bear all the loads from the bridge span structure, but also directly bear various loads such as earth pressure, water impact force, ice pressure, ship impact force, etc. The table body has sufficient strength, stiffness and stability.

Bridge piers are divided into two categories, gravity bridge piers and light bridge piers. There are also three types of bridge piers: solid piers, hollow piers, piles or column piers. ^[2]

Bridge pier

The position of the pier is closely related to the sub-span layout of the bridge superstructure and should be determined through technical and economic comparison (see Bridge Scheme Design). For example, the bridge pier of a river-crossing bridge should take into account the difficulties that deep water or poor foundations can cause to the construction of the pier foundation. Ice, driftwood or mudslides will increase the additional load on the pier. Special care should be taken when laying the pier. V-shaped deep valleys should be spanned with large spans to avoid setting high bridge piers at the bottom of the ditch; when there is no special requirement for the clearance under the bridge, shallow foundation piers are allowed for the river bed and foundation conditions, or to beautify the environment and avoid high embankments occupying too much The dry bridge to be built is preferably arranged with low-pier short-span bridge holes. ^[2]