Abstract A three-dimensional, non-linear finite element (FE) model of an integral abutment bridge has been developed to study the effect of thermal loading on the soil/pile system. The FE model consists of soil continuum elements. Material non-linearity is accounted for both, the piles and the soil. A bridge substructure was fully instrumented. The displacements induced by temperature changes were measured and used as an input to the analytical model. The analytical results were compared with experimental data. We found that the influence of the lateral loads imposed by the superstructure on the piles is confined within a small volume of soil around the piles. As such, the lateral loading is not transferred to the MSE wall.