Abutment
An abutment is structural component typically found at both ends of a bridge, dam, arch or vault to resist and support the lateral and vertical loading of those structures and to transfer those loads to the foundations.
Short Guide: Climate Change Adaptation for Traditional Buildings, published on 10 July 2017 by Historic Scotland, defines an abutment as: ‘Where the slate or other roof elements join the masonry of a wall or chimney.’
High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Environmental Statement, Glossary, abbreviations and references, published by the Department for Transport in 2022, defines an abutment as: ‘A point where two structures meet, which support or anchor the end of a bridge.’
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