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
- 01-2021 Abutments Supported By MSE Walls (PDF 600KB) revises Chapter 7 - Substructure Design (PDF 2.4MB) and Chapter 15 - Structural Design Requirements for Design-Build Contracts (PDF 1.5MB) with design requirements for abutments supported by mechanically stabilized earth walls.
- 07-2021 Bridges subjected to tsunami effects (PDF 94KB) revises Chapter 3 - Loads (PDF 906KB) and Chapter 15 - Structural Design Requirements for Design-Build Contracts (PDF 1.5MB) with design requirements for bridges subjected to tsunami effects.
- 08-2021 Scour design policy (PDF 441KB) revises Chapter 7 - Substructure Design (PDF 2.4MB) and Chapter 15 - Structural Design Requirements for Design-Build Contracts (PDF 1.5MB) with updated scour design policy
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).