This paper describes damage to bridges caused by the 1994 earthquake a
t Northridge, California. A description of the damage and the probable
causes are presented for the seven bridges that suffered some form of
collapse. The majority of damage was due to column shear or combined
shear and flexure failures, but restrainer failure was the cause of co
llapse in one bridge. The lack of damage to other bridges and to found
ations is discussed.