Module 1
BASIC BRIDGE TERMINOLOGIES:
Basic Member Shapes, Connections and Decks
INTRODUCTION
It is important to be familiar with the terminology and elementary theory of bridge
mechanics and materials. This topic presents the terminology needed by inspectors to
properly identify and describe the individual elements that comprise a bridge. First the
major components of a bridge are introduced. Then the basic member shapes and
connections of the bridge are presented. Finally, the purpose and function of the major
bridge components are described in detail.
In this module, you are going to learn about basic bridge terminologies on basic member
shapes, connections and decks.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of module 1, you should have achieved the following topic learning outcomes:
1. explain basic terminologies used in bridge engineering;
2. identify the basic member shapes for timber, concrete and steel members;
3. classify bridge connections and decks; and,
4. develop an understanding of the material requirements used in bridge
construction.
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 1
LET US ENGAGE!
PRE-ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY
Answer the essay questions below. Although this part of the module is not graded, it will
be a helpful tool to evaluate your progress in this topic. Remember not to check for
answers on the web since this activity will test your previous/initial knowledge about the
topic contained in this module.
1. Define a bridge
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2. Give three (3) main functions of a bridge
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3. Why is engineering intervention important in the construction of bridges?
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this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 2
LET US EXPLORE!
It is said that knowledge is power. May you find that power inside the pages of this module.
Enjoy!
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 3
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 4
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 5
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 6
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 7
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 8
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 9
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 10
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 11
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 12
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 13
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 14
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 15
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 16
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 17
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 18
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 19
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 20
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 21
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 22
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 23
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 24
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 25
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 26
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 27
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 28
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 29
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 30
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 31
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 32
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 33
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 34
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 35
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 36
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 37
LET US EXPLAIN!
After learning about this topic, let us further understand the contents of this module by
knowing its application in real life. Select two (2) bridges in your area and in a short bond
paper (8.5 in. by 11 in.), write about its features and describe its structural elements.
Answers should be handwritten and shall only be comprised of 100 to 200 words.
LET US ELABORATE!
Bridges design depends greatly on its purpose. Whether it’s for functional, aesthetic or
economic reasons, all these things are taken into consideration when building. Despite
the different style or size, bridges are spectacular structures that make it easier for us to
travel from place to place. Research about the different types of bridges and in a short
bond paper (8.5 in. by 11 in.), draw and briefly describe each type.
LET US EVALUATE!
You are now ready to put your knowledge into test. You have to write your answers in a
short bond paper (8.5 in. by 11 in.). Work honestly and independently. Let us start!
1. A thorough and complete bridge inspection is dependent upon the bridge inspector's
ability to identify and understand the function of the major bridge components and their
elements. Draw, label and discuss the three (3) major parts or components of a bridge.
2. The ability to recognize and identify basic member shapes requires an understanding of
the timber, concrete, and steel shapes used in the construction of bridges. Enumerate the
basic member shapes used in bridges. Discuss the given shapes and provide examples
where those particular shapes are used in its structural elements.
3. Rolled and built-up steel shapes are used to make stringers, floor beams, girders, trusses,
frames, arches and other bridge members. These members require structural joints, or
connections, to transfer loads between members. Enumerate the different types of bridge
member connections and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
4. The deck is that component of a bridge to which the live load is directly applied. Explain
its purpose, enumerate its types and discuss the materials used in this bridge component.
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 38
SUMMARY
Most bridges can be divided into three basic parts or components: Deck,
Superstructure and Substructure.
The ability to recognize and identify basic member shapes requires an
understanding of the timber, concrete, and steel shapes used in the
construction of bridges.
Timber Shapes include round for piles, columns, posts, rectangular
for planks, beams, columns, piles and built-up shapes for beams.
Concrete Shapes include cast-in-place flexural shapes such as
slabs/decks, rectangular beams, tee beams and channel beams,
precast flexural shapes such as I-beams, bulb-tees, voided or solid
slabs, box beams and box girders and axially-loaded compression
members that are used in the form of columns, arches and piles.
Iron Shapes are formed through the use of cast iron and wrought iron.
Advances in technology made it possible to form a variety of shapes by
rolling, including: rods and wire, bars, plates, angles, channels and I-
beams.
Steel Shapes include rolled shapes used on bridges such as bars and
plates, angles, channels, S Beams (American standard “I” beams), and
W Beams (Wide flange “I” beams), built-up shapes which typically
include truss members, girders and boxes, and cables that are used in
suspension, tied-arch, and cable-stayed bridges.
There are several different types of bridge member connections:
o Pin connections
o Riveted connections
o Bolted connections
o Welded connections
o Pin and hanger assemblies
o Splice connections
The deck is that component of a bridge to which the live load is directly
applied.
Decks function in one of two ways:
o Composite decks - act together with their supporting members
and increase superstructure capacity
o Non-composite decks - are not integral with their supporting
members and do not contribute to structural capacity of the
superstructure
There are three common materials used in the construction of bridge
decks:
o Timber
o Concrete
o Steel
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 39
REFERENCES
Bridge Inspection Manual from the National Bridge Inspection Standards of the
Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, United States of
America
Online References:
1. Mystery Clipart. Retrieved from http://clipartbarn.com/mystery-clip-art_13616/
2. PedroCody7. Online Exam - Critical Thinking Thought Criticism. Retrieved from
https://favpng.com/png_view/online-exam-critical-thinking-thought-criticism-
png/facfB5re
3. Abluecup. Note. Retrieved from https://www.canstockphoto.com/note-
14031122.html
4. EXPLAIN CLIPART 1. Retrieved from https://clipartstation.com/explain-clipart-
1/
5. Evaluate free icon. Retrieved from https://www.flaticon.com/free-
icon/evaluate_2421246
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting
online in any form or by any means without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 40
