Bridge elements supporting the superstructure are substructure elements.
Design guidance including design considerations, modeling for seismic loads, and design of substructure elements such as columns, abutments, footings, shafts, piling, and concrete-filled steel tubes
Design guidance including design considerations, modeling for seismic loads, and design of substructure elements such as columns, abutments, footings, shafts, piling, and concrete-filled steel tubes
Design memorandum
Design memorandum are issued as interim updates to the Bridge Design Manual. Active design memorandums supersede the Bridge Design Manual contents and are currently enforced.
- 2023-04 WSDOT MSE Wall Support Abutment Bearing Limits (PDF 124MB) revises Chapter 7 - Substructure Design (PDF 2.4MB) and provides revisions to the WSDOT policy regarding MSE wall supported abutments
Related manual chapters
Chapter 7 - Substructure Design (PDF 2.4MB) provides guidance for substructure design including:
- Foundation modeling for seismic loads
- Columns
- Abutments
- Wing and curtain walls
- Footings
- Shafts
- Piling
- Concrete filled steel tubes
Chapter 5 - Concrete Structures (PDF 18MB) is a secondary resource for substructure design providing guidance for cast-in-place reinforced concrete bridge elements.
Bridge Design Manual
Complete Bridge design guidance is found in the Bridge Design Manual (M 23-50).