Covered Bridge Terminology

the structure that supports the end of the bridge or accepts the thrust of the Burr arch and supports and retains the bridge approach

the road surface leading into the bridge

a timber between the abutment and truss which extends beyond the abutment. Commonly found in Town truss

a built in, upward curve of the bridge

the horizontal members, upper and lower, of a truss system extending from end to end

the surface of the bridge that carries the traffic

a transverse member between the trusses that supports the decking and live load

a galvanized wire box filled with stones used to form retaining walls along a stream or bridge

a wall rising above the road level, usually as an upward extension of the wingwall

structure(s) located between the abutments to support a multi-span bridge. Additional support to an existing span. It may be original or added later

the opening at either end of a bridge, the face of that opening

a vertical member which is perpendicular or near perpendicular to the bottom chord

lengthwise planks laid over crosswise planks in the tire track area of the bridge deck, probably added sometime after the invention of the automobile to reduce noise from the loose planks

the horizontal distance between two supports of the bridge

a wooden peg, usually oak, used to fasten timbers in bridge building, sometimes replaced with galvanized steel bolts

extensions of the abutment which contain the fill of the approach