FHWA Bridge Inspector’s Manual Section 10.2—Piers and Bents - a PDH Online Course for Engineers, Architects and Surveyors

FHWA Bridge Inspector’s Manual Section 10.2—Piers and Bents

Course Outline

This two-hour online course discusses the various pier and bent types—solid shaft piers, column piers, column piers with web walls, cantilever or hammerhead piers, column bents, and pile bents. Typical materials used, pier and bent elements, foundation types, and pier protection methods are described. Inspection procedures for identifying vertical, lateral, and rotational movement of piers and bents are presented, as well as for identifying material defects and scour. Inspection procedures for dolphins and fenders are included.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

Be familiar with pier and bent types;
Know the primary materials and protection procedures used in piers and bents;
Know foundation types;
Be cognizant of inspection procedures and locations for piers and bents;
Understand the function of dolphins and fenders; and
Be familiar with evaluation and rating procedures.

Intended Audience

This course is intended primarily for civil, construction, and structural engineers, and would be of particular interest to consulting engineers or to engineers serving in government organizations concerned with the safety of bridges.

Benefit to Attendees

An attendee of this course will be familiar with the characteristics of bridge piers and bents and will be able to apply this knowledge in bridge inspections.

Course Introduction

A pier or bent is an intermediate substructure unit located between the ends of abridge. Its function is to support the bridge at intermediate intervals with minimal obstruction to the flow of traffic or water below the bridge. The difference between a pier and a bent is simply in physical appearance. There is no functional difference between the two. A pier generally has only one column or shaft supported by one footing. Bents have two or more columns and each column is supported by an individual footing.

Course Content

This course is based on Section 10.2 (Piers and Bents) of the Federal Highway Administration Bridge Inspector’s Reference Manual, Publication No. FHWA NHI 03-001, October, 2002, Revised December, 2006.

FHWA Bridge Inspector’s Manual Section 10.2—Piers and Bents

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Course Summary

The characteristics of bridge piers and bents are described in a manner useful for conducting inspection of bridges.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/bripro.htm

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.