Pier (architecture)

A pier, in architecture, is an upright support for a structure or superstructure such as an arch or bridge.

In cold climates, the upstream edge of a pier may include a starkwater to prevent accumulation of broken ice during peak snowmelt flows.

The cutwater edge may be of concrete or masonry, but is often capped with a steel angle to resist abrasion and focus force at a single point to fracture floating pieces of ice striking the pier.

Donato Bramante's original plan for St Peter's Basilica in Rome has richly articulated piers.

The piers of the four apses that project from each outer wall are also strong, to withstand the outward thrust of the half-domes upon them.

The Pont du Gard (c.19 BC), Nîmes ; 3 rows of piers with arches springing from them to support the bridge.
Cruciform pier in Wells Cathedral , England.
A concrete girder bridge pier during construction prior to installation of the bridge deck and parapets, consisting of multiple angled pylons for support (bottom), a horizontal concrete cap (center), and girders (top) with temporary wood bracing
A quadruple compound pier supporting the fly-over at the traffic junction 24 Oktoberplein ( Utrecht , Netherlands )
The Arc de Triomphe , Paris, supported by four massive planar piers
Bramante 's plan for St Peter's Basilica . In this illustration, the piers are rendered in solid black. Double lines between the piers indicate vaulting .
Montacute House (England, c. 1598 ). Niches in the piers of the long gallery are occupied by statues of the Nine Worthies .