Which term is used for the component transmitting loads from the deck to the substructure?

• A. Substructure
• B. Deck
• C. Beams
• D. Bearings

Answer: (D)

Loads from the deck are transmitted to the substructure through bearings. Bearings sit between the deck’s supporting beams and the substructure (piers or abutments) and carry the vertical load while allowing controlled rotation and horizontal movement. This lets the deck expand, contract, or sway without imposing large stresses on the supports. The substructure is the actual support below, the deck is the surface where loads originate, and beams are the main load-carrying members that transfer load toward the bearings—yet the interface that passes the load into the substructure is the bearing.