Mechanisms for Damage and Failure from the Great East Japan Tsunami - Tohoku, Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011 - page 62

3.10 Abutments and End Effects

Ends of structures and connections of structures into native materials often provide
points of weakness or loci for damage. Water and wave forces can penetrate small
voids and concentrate energy to scour the connecting elements and initiate failure of
the structure (Figures 72 through 75).

Figure 73. Rikuzen Takada highway
bridge abutment failure and loss of
roadway support

Figure 72. Tanohata abutment failure
and end scour

Figure 74. Utatsu highway abutment —
No abutment failure, despite failure of
bridge

Figure 75. Fudai River gates — With
abutment tied into competent rock, no
failure of structure