brugdeel

Brugdeel is a Dutch term used in civil engineering to describe a component of a bridge. Broadly, it denotes a discrete part of a bridge, most commonly the deck or a prefabricated segment that can be assembled to form the finished structure. The word combines brug (bridge) and deel (part).

Usage and scope: In practice, brugdeel is often used in segmental or modular bridges, where deck segments are manufactured off-site and installed between supports. The precise meaning can vary by project, and in some contexts brugdeel may refer to structural elements other than the deck.

Materials and construction: Brugdelen are typically made of reinforced concrete or steel, and may be cast or precast. They may include the wearing course and embedded reinforcement, and are connected by dowels, bolts, or welded joints, with expansion joints to accommodate movement.

Installation and maintenance: During erection, brugdelen are lifted into place and aligned on piers or abutments, then joints are sealed and finished. Regular inspection targets the deck surface, joints, and connections for corrosion, wear, and cracking. The term is most common in Dutch-language literature and project specifications in the Netherlands and Flanders; English-language documents usually use deck or deck segment.