Elastomeric Bearings
Elastomeric bearings are manufactured using natural rubber or neoprene.
It can be built with a variety of elastomeric composite interlayers or backings to suit customers' parameters when acoustic or vibration damping is necessary.
Elastomers may be used when simple angular or rotational movements are required.
These pads are placed in between the bridge beam and the vertical supports called piers.
Their main function is to distribute the loads and allow the bridge beam to undergo necessary movements in irregular environmental conditions without creating any harmful stress that might compromise the structural integrity of the bridge.
If the structural integrity of the bridge is compromised, the bridge could collapse.
Preventing collapse is not the only functionality of an elastomeric bearing.
The bearings help extend the life of bridges by reducing wear and tear on bridge materials.
- Compress on vertical load and accommodate horizontal rotation
- Provides lateral shear movement
- Are the most economical solution used in the construction of large-span bridges and buildings
- Bridge flexibility is achieved if a bridge elastomeric bearing is used
- Extend the life of the bridges
Elastomeric Backed Bearing
- 2.5mm PTFE pad bonded to 3mm backing plate for tack welding
- 2.5mm PTFE bottom pad bonded to 3mm backing plate
- 6mm elastomer to accommodate small angular misalignments
- 3mm mounting plate for tack welding or bolting
Load capacity: up to 70kg/cm²
Temperature range: -30°c to +120°c
- Where operating conditions require them, thermal insulation and vibration-dampening pads may be bonded between the backing plate and the structure.
- Loads in excess of these can be accommodated by confining the material within a recessed housing and by using a polished stainless steel counter plate - proposed configurations should be discussed with our designers
The temperature at the surface of the PTFE should generally be less than 120°C and should never exceed 200°C. Typical data suggests that under normal conditions the temperature falls by 200°C for every 100mm from the heat source (in ambient air).
However, if the slide bearing temperature is likely to exceed 120°C a thermal insulator should be fitted between the structure and the slide bearing back plate.
Designed by Fluorocarbon to meet the needs of the structure, these bearings are rigid enough to transmit the necessary loads but also flexible enough to permit the rotation and movement required by the structure.
Bearings are recommended for vibration and earthquake-motion control applications.
Our client wanted us to provide a solution that would allow movement at the connection point of the existing building and a pedestrian bridge between the two buildings.
We produce Fluoroglide® Structural Bearings in a range of configurations. Each bearing is designed specifically to suit your specific application.