Elastomeric Bridge Bearing Pads

About Elastomeric Bridge Bearing Pads

In the past, the bridge was constructed from stones or wooden elements. Such a structure having this characteristic can be constructed directly onto the supporting members and the floor slab as well. Furthermore, the structure is used by the current civilization without adequate knowledge of the seismic characteristics of the constructions. When new special materials became available, it was necessary to make constructions to protect against earthquakes (in such a way a variety of supports was invented) and now there are many different kinds of bridges.

Elastomeric bearings are used in most of the construction support work, in which they provide concrete support to transfer the load opposite to the ground. The characteristics of this type of bearing combine several materials and construction properties.

The design of elastomeric bearings has been able to take into account adequate pneumatic pressure to support vertical loads and also has sufficient elastic compressibility to accommodate anticipated deformation. Rubber and steel plates are ideal materials for increasing rigidity and flexibility respectively. In that case, the elastomeric bearings can be strengthened with a soft steel inner plate.

Despite high expectations regarding their performance, elastomeric bearings still require proper deployment instructions. As is widely known, the reinforcement structure of elastomeric bearings allows them to operate under loads of up to 3500 nanometers, with displacement equal to 100 mm, and rotation at 0.04 radians, all of them have a common bending nature.