Bridge Bearings

POT BEARINGS

Presented by: Muhammad Burhan Mazher

What are Bearings ?

Bearings are mechanical systems which transmit loads from the superstructure to
the substructure. In a way, bearings can be thought of as the interface between
the superstructure and the substructure.

Their principal functions are as follows:

1.To transmit loads from the superstructure to the substructure, and
2.To accommodate relative movements between the superstructure and
the substructure.
Types of Bearings

Bearings may be classified in two categories:

1.Fixed bearings (allow rotations only)
2.Expansion bearings (allow both rotational and translational movements)

Following are the principal types of bearings currently in use:

Pot Bearings

A pot bearing comprises a plain elastomeric disk that is confined in a shallow steel
ring, or pot. Vertical loads are transmitted through a steel piston that fits closely
to the steel ring (pot wall).

Translational movements are restrained in a pure pot bearing, and the gravity
loads are transmitted through the steel piston moving against the pot wall. To
accommodate translational movement, a PTFE sliding surface must be used.
Keeper plates are often used to keep the superstructure moving in one direction.
Types of Pot Bearings

In general, the movement accommodated by fixed and expansion bearings can be

classified by the following:
1. Fixed bearings allow for rotation only
2.Guided expansion bearings allow for rotation and longitudinal translation only
3.Multi-directional expansion bearings (sliding bearings) allow for rotation and
translation in any direction
Fixed Pot-Bearings

A non-reinforced elastomer is placed between a

precisely milled steel pot and a cylindrical lid.
Vertical loads are transmitted through a steel piston
that fits closely to the steel pot wall. Flat sealing rings
are used to contain the elastomer inside the pot. The
elastomer behaves like a viscous fluid within the pot
as the bearing rotates. Because the elastomeric pad is
confined, much larger load can be carried this way
than through conventional elastomeric pads.
Guided Pot-Bearings

A Uniaxial Displaceable Pot Bearing (Guided Pot

Bearing) releases the lateral movements of bridge in
any one direction utilizing a guide on the lid and a
guiding groove in the gliding plate.
The gliding ability is accomplished by the embedded
PTFE (Teflon®) disc and the gliding austenitic steel,
which is welded onto the bottom of the gliding plate.
Sliding Pot-Bearings

The Multiaxial Displaceable Pot Bearing (Sliding Pot

Bearings) releases lateral movements of the bridge in
all directions.
The gliding ability is accomplished by the embedded
PTFE (Teflon®) disc and the gliding austenitic steel,
which is welded onto the bottom of the gliding plate.
 Components of Pot-Bearing
(Fixed Pot-Bearing)

1) Top Plate 6) Elastomer

2) Piston
7) Attachment Lug

3) Dust Seal

8) Pot
4) Sealing Ring

5) Anchor Dowel 9) Bottom Plate

Components of Pot-Bearing
(Guided Pot-Bearing)
Bearing Schedule

First, the vertical and horizontal loads,

the rotational and translational
movements from all sources including
dead and live loads, wind loads,
earthquake loads, creep and shrinkage,
prestress, thermal and construction
tolerances need to be calculated. Then,
the table on right may be used to
tabulate these requirements.
Installation of Pot-Bearing

1) Place the bearing on its support. 2) Adjust the bearing. 3) Grout the base. 4) Place Formwork,
reinforcement and pour concrete of the superstructure. 5) Release temporary attachments.
Installation of Pot-Bearing
The End
Thank You