A pier is a vertical support structure that is typically used to support a bridge or an elevated roadway. It is usually constructed in the water or on land and is designed to transfer the weight of the bridge or roadway to the ground.
An abutment, on the other hand, is a structure that supports the ends of a bridge or a roadway. It is typically constructed at the ends of the bridge or the roadway and is designed to transfer the weight of the bridge or roadway to the ground.
In summary, while both piers and abutments support bridges and roadways, piers are vertical structures that support the bridge or roadway while abutments are structures that support the ends of the bridge or roadway.
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