What are pier caps?

What are pier caps?

The upper or bearing part of a bridge pier; usually made of concrete or hard stone; designed to distribute concentrated loads evenly over the area of the pier.

What are pier caps made out of?

What Are Pier Caps? Pier caps are structures made of moulded concrete placed on the top of gate pillars or wall ends. They protect from weather and other damaging factors. Additionally, pier caps serve as a decorative element coming in a variety of shapes to complement any architectural style.

What is a bridge pier cap?

“Pier caps transfer the loads from the superstructure to the piers. They hold the bridge girders on bearing pads and disperse the loads from the bearings to the piers. Bridges with piers will all have pier caps to transfer the load from the superstructure.

What is the difference between a pier and a pile?

Pier foundation consists of cylindrical columns to support and transfer large superimposed loads to firm strata. Piles are driven through the overburden soils into the load-bearing strata.

What is the purpose of pier?

A pier is a raised structure that rises above a body of water and usually juts out from its shore, typically supported by piles or pillars, and provides above-water access to offshore areas. Frequent pier uses include fishing, boat docking and access for both passengers and cargo, and oceanside recreation.

What is brick pier?

Brick piers are vertical structures that typically act as supports for walls that they are built into, or for construction built on top of them. Frequently, brick piers are built to be freestanding. This means that they are isolated pillars not connected to any other structure.

How many types of piers are there?

There are several ways of defining pier types. One is by its structural connectivity to the superstructure: monolithic or cantilevered. Another is by its sectional shape: solid or hollow; round, octagonal, hexagonal, or rectangular.

What are the types of open pier?

Open piers permit the passage of water through the structure and classified into the following types:

• 2.1 Cylindrical Piers.
• 2.2 Column Piers or Column Bent.
• 2.3 Multicolumn or Pile Bent.
• 2.4 Pile Pier or Pile Bents.
• 2.5 Trestle Pier or Trestle Bent.

What is pier footing?

Piers and footings are terms used to describe parts of the concrete foundation built under a structure to support the weight of the building. When a home, commercial building or deck is constructed, the structure must rest on a concrete foundation to prevent the weight of the building from causing the ground to shift.

How are piles driven?

Driven piles (precast piles) are prefabricated elements (timber, steel or concrete), which are driven into the ground by percussion, pressing or vibration, using proper machinery. The execution method used for this type of piles is fast and does not depend on local conditions, presenting good stability in soft soils.

Where is a pier found?

12.4. 1 General. Piers are substructures located at the ends of bridge spans at intermediate points between the abutments. The function of the piers is as follows: to transfer the superstructure vertical loads to the foundation and to resist all horizontal and transverse forces acting on the bridge.