Bridge Bearings 2011

SD 470
DESIGN OF BRIDGES

BRIDGE BEARINGS
Lecture No.7

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Introduction
Bearings are provided at the interface between the
superstructure and the substructure in bridges. The
main functions of bearings are:
i). to transmit the vertical loads from the
superstructure to
the substructure line piers and abutments
ii). to accommodate movements due to thermal
changes
resulting in expansion or contraction
iii). to allow for rotation of the beams or bridge
girders
Movements at the bearings may be due to:
- Shrinkage of concrete
- Creep
- Change in temperature 2
- Horizontal longitudinal forces
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Movements in Bridges

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(a) Movement due to shrinkage of concrete.

Shrinkage of concrete is expressed in mm/m length.
Therefore, if a span of a bridge is 22m and shrinkage
is
300 x 10-6 mm/m, then the longitudinal movement is:

Lsh = 22m x 300 x10 -6 mm/m = 6.6 x 10 -3 mm

(b) Movement due to the temperature
This is a permanent movement
The movement depends on the length of member and
the change in temperature.
Example: For a span of 22m, and coefficient of
expansion of 12 x10 -6/oC and change in temperature
of 30oC, the longitudinal movement due to
temperature change will be
Ltemp = 22 x 12 x 10 -6 x 30 = 7.92 x
10-3 mm 4
The movement is reversible
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(c) Movement due to creep of concrete

Creep in concrete depends on the stresses in the
concrete. Under tensile stress creep will be positive
(increase in dimension), while under compressive
stress, the creep will be negative (decrease in
dimensions). Creep also depends on the length of the
concrete member.
Creep property for concrete is expressed per unit
length per unit stress.

Example: For a span L = 22m, and tensile stress of

10N/mm2 and creep of 50 x 10 -6 mm/m per N/mm2
The Longitudinal movement due to creep will be:
Lcr = 22 x 50 x 10 -6 x 10 = 0.01mm

The movement is permanent 5

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d) Movement due to Horizontal forces

The movement depends on the length of the
member and the modulus of elasticity.

Example: Span 22m, E= 20x10 3 N/mm2 and a force

of 450kN and cross section area of the
superstructure is 2.39m2
FL 450  10 3  22  10 3
LF    0.207 mm
AE 2.39  10  20  10
6 3

This is reversible movement.

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(e) Rotation Movement
The Rotation at the bearing is due to
- Self weight of the superstructure
- Imposed loads
Due to dead loads the rotations are permanent
Due to imposed loads the rotations are
reversible.
Example: Dead load of superstructure is
60kN/m: WL3 60  22 3 26 ,620
 DL    radians
24 EI 24 EI EI
- Permanent rotation
If the imposed load is 100 kN/m, the reversible
rotation is given by
WL3 100  22 3 44 ,367
 imp    radians
24 EI 24 EI EI
- Reversible rotation:
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TYPES OF
Elastomer: BEARINGS
A compound containing natural or
chloroprene rubber with properties similar to those of
rubber.
Roller bearing: A bearing consisting essentially of one
or more steel rollers between parallel upper and lower
steel plates [see Figs. 2(a), (b)].
Rocker bearing: A bearing consisting essentially of
curved surface in contact with a flat or curved surface,
and constrained to prevent relative horizontal
movement The curved surfaces may be cylindrical or
spherical [Figs. 2(c), and (d)]. Rocker bearings permit
rotation by rolling of one part on another.
Knuckle bearing: A bearing consisting essentially of
two or more members with mating curved surfaces.
The curved surfaces may be cylindrical or spherical.
[Figures. 2(e), (g, and (h)]. Knuckle bearings permit 8
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Leaf bearing: A bearing consisting essentially of a pin

passing through a number of interleaved plates fixed
alternately to the upper and lower outer bearing
plates, Fig. 2f
Sliding bearing: A bearing consisting essentially of
two surfaces sliding one on the other. [Fig. 2(i)].
Elastomeric bearing: A bearing comprising of a block
of elastomer that may be reinforced internally with
steel plates, (steel laminates) which make it a
laminated or restrained elastomeric bearing.
Laminated bearing: An elastomeric bearing
reinforced with steel plates [Fig. 2(j)].
Plain pad bearing An unreinforced elastomeric
bearing.
Strip bearing: A plain pad bearing for which the
length is at least ten times the width.
Pot bearing: A bearing consisting essentially of a 9
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Elastomer Bearings

Shape Factor (S): Individual Layer of

Elastomer
The shape factor S is a means of taking account of
the shape of the elastomer in strength and
deflection calculations. lt is the ratio of the
effective plan area of an elastomeric layer to its
force-free surface area (free to bulge) and is
calculated as shown in (ii) to (iv).

Note that the factors associated with the effective

thickness of the
elastomer t. in the expressions given in (ii) to (iv), 13
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(ii) Plain pad bearings: For plain pad bearings, the

shape factor S, is given by:
A ….(7.1)
S
l pte
where A = overall plan area of the, bearing
lp = force-free perimeter of the bearing,
excluding that of any holes if these are not later
effectively plugged
te = effective thickness of elastomer in
compression, which is taken as 1.8t and t = actual
thickness of elastomer
But for a rectangular bearing without holes, the free-
force perimeter is defined by;
lp = 2(a + b) ….(7.1a)
where b is the overall length of the bearing, and
a is the overall width of the bearing. 14
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(iii)Strip bearings: For strip bearings,

S = a/2t, ….(7.1b)
where a and t, are as defined in (ii) above.

(iv) Laminated bearings [Fig. 2(j)]. For laminated bearings, the shape
factor S for each individual elastomer layer is given by the expression;
Ae
S ….(7.1c)
l pte
where Ae = effective plan area of the bearing, i.e., the plan area common
to elastomer and steel plate, excluding the area of any holes if these are not
later effectively plugged
lp is as defined in (ii) above.
te = effective thickness of an individual elastomer lamination in
compression; it is taken as the actual thickness, ti for inner
layer, and 1.4ti for outer layers. ti is the thickness of an
individual elastomer layer.
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Note that for a rectangular bearing without holes, such as the one shown
in Figure 4,
A e = a e be ….(7.1d)
lp = 2(a + b)
where b = effective length of the bearing (= length of
reinforcing plates)
a = effective width of the bearing (= width of reinforcing
plates)

Moduli of Eiastomer
Table 1: Typical elastomer moduli
Nominal hardness Shear modulus Bulk modulus
G [N/mm2] E [N/mm2]
IRHD**
50 0.6
60 0.9 2000
70 1.2
**IRHD means - international Rubber Hardness Scale
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The shear modulus G should normally be obtained experimentally. Table 1

gives typical values of G and also an appropriate value for the bulk modulus Eb.
The variation of the shear modulus with low temperatures should be
established by testing. For temperatures below O0C, the values of G may, in
the absence of test data, be taken as equal to the values in Table 1 multiplied
by:

T
1
25 ….(7.2)

where T = minimum shade air temperature (in 0C).

Note: T is negative for temperatures below O0C, the increased value of G

applies only when variations 'in load and displacement take place at low
temperature

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Recommendations on the Design Of

Unreinforced Elastomeric Bearings
i. Plan dimensions. The preferred dimensions of elastomeric bearings are
given in Table 2 below. However, interpolation of plan dimensions can be
made if the situation warrants.

Table 2: Standard plan dimensions of elastomeric bearings

Size Width (a) Length (b)
(Index no.) (mm) (mm)
1 160 250
2 160 320
3 200 320
4 200 400
5 250 400
6 250 500
7 320 500
8 320 630
9 400 630
10 400 800 18
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ii. The vertical (axial) stiffness of the elastomer is represented by its

shapefactor. The shape factor S of the elastomer is given by the ratio
(Loaded surface area)/(Surface area free to bulge)

ab (7.3)
S
2t ( a  b )
where a = width of pad
b = length of pad
t = thickness of the pad.
iii. Thickness. The thickness of a bearing is governed by its shear movement.
If u is the translational shear deformation (Fig. 4), then
a b
t

t
u
d e fo rm a tio n b e a rin g in 3 D
Figure 4: Elastomer bearing
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u = t tan  ….(7.4)
Hc  Hs
tan  
GA
where G = modulus of rigidity in N/mm2
Hc= sustained horizontal load in Newton
Hs = sustained dynamic horizontal load in Newton
The value of u should be less than 0.7t, such that t > 1.43u.
iv. Average compressive stress. This is given by

P
m   2GS ….(7.5)
Ae
where
P = total vertical load in Newton
Ae = effective plan area excluding shear deformation in mm 2
and
Ae  ( a  u )b ….(7.6)

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v. To prevent slip. The slip of a bearing is due to high horizontal force and
low vertical force. To avoid slip, the following conditions need to be met with
(a)
P  a
m   1  ….(7.7)
Ae  b

(b) H c  H s   f Pc  Ps  ….(7.8)

where
Pc and Ps = sustained and dynamic vertical load, respectively in Newton
Hc and Hs = sustained and dynamic horizontal load, respectively
….(7.9) in Newton
f = coefficient of friction (average value = 0.3).

vi. To prevent overturning or toppling, the thickness, t, of the bearing shall

conform to the following condition
a
t ….(7.9)
5
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Concrete Bearings

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7.2 BASIS FOR SELECTION OF BEARINGS

The successful behaviour of a bridge structure depends to a large extent upon the
functioning of its bearings as anticipated in the design. The designer should have a
clear understanding of the nature of forces developed in the structure. Accordingly,
only the bearings which can successfully perform the considered functions, should be
selected. When selecting a bearing, the factors listed below should be carefully
considered:
1. High vertical load taking capability
2. Movement capability to cope with horizontal movements
3. Rotational capability
4. Capability to resist external horizontal forces like wind forces and centrifugal
forces
5. Good seismic resistance, i.e. capability to dissipate energy at high displacement
levels
6. Overall cost (i.e. initial cost, maintenance cost, etc.) should be low
7. Aesthetic considerations - low height bearings will add pleasing looks to a
bridge than high bearings
8. Environmental conditions like physical environment should be considered for proper
functioning of bearings during their lifespan. Roller bearings and sliding bearings face
problems in dusty and desert conditions. Steel bearings should be avoided in the
vicinity of water. 23
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WORKED EXAMPLES
Example 7.1
Design a mild steel rocker bearing for transmitting the superstructure
reactive load of 1200 kN.
Allowable pressure on bearing block: 3.8 MPa
Permissible bending stress: 0.66fy = 165 MPa
Permissible bearing stress: 100 MPa
Permissible shear stress: 100 MPa

Design
Area of the bedplate
Area = load/permissible bearing stress on block
A = 1200 x 103/3.8 = 315,789.47 mm2 say 320,000 mm2
A bedplate of size 400 mm x 800 mm can be provided.
Width D of the Leg
The load taken by the rocker leg will be almost in the form of line load. It is
taken as 4D N/mm, where D is the width of the leg in mm. Thus, we have
(4D x 800) = 1200 x103 Or D = 375 mm, say 400 mm

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Rocker pin
With reference to Figure 5, the rocker pin is supported by the legs of the
rocker bearing. It will experience bending in between the two legs, so;

Load on one leg = (0.5) x 1200 x 103 = 600 x 103 N

Distance between the upper and lower legs = 25 + 25 + 15 = 65 mm
Bending moment = 600 x 103 x 65 = 39 x 106 Nmm
Section modulus, Z = M/fb = 39 x 106/165 = 236,363.6 mm3 .
Therefore, from

 d3
Z (for circular section)
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d3 = 236,363.6 x (32/)
or
d = 134.02 mm, say 140 mm

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65

S te e l Gird e r
Up p e r le g
50

p in
Ro c ke r p in

Lo w e r le g Lo w e r le g
B e d p la te
Ab u tm
t e nt

Rocker Bearing and Reaction Transfer to pin

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Check for bearing stress

Bearing area of the pin = thickness of the leg x diameter
Ab = 50 x 140 = 7000 mm2
Bearing stress = load/bearing area

Load on one leg 600  10 3

f b ,a    85.71 N / mm 2  100 N / mm 2
Bearing area 7000
OK

Check for shear stress

Area of cross-section of the pin,


A d2
4
A = 3.1416 x 1402/4 =15,393.80 mm2
Shear stress = 600 x 103/15,393.80 = 38.97 N/mm2 < 100 N/mm2

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Example 7.2
A reaction of 2500 kN is expected at the supports of a 20.0 m span
T-beam bridge. Design the rocker and roller bearing. The other
details are:
Allowable pressure on rollers: 5 N/mm 2 / diameter (in mm length)
Bearing pressure on rocker pin: 30 N/mm 2
Allowable pressure on bearing plate: 2000 N/mm 2
Allowable pressure on concrete bed block: 3.8 N/mm 2
Minimum diameter of roller is 75 mm.

Design
Rocker pin
As the minimum diameter stipulated is 75 mm, try a 120 mm
diameter pin.
Bearing area = Lb = 120 Lb
Thus, P = 120 x Lb x bearing pressure
2500 x 103 = 120 x Lb x 30
Hence, Lb = 694 mm, say 700 mm long pin 28
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S te e l Gird e r

Ro c ke r p in

Ro lle r n e s t
B e d p la te
B e d b lo c k
900

1200
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Rollers
100 mm diameter rollers can be tried.
If L is the total length of the rollers, load taken by rollers = 5 x L x diameter
Thus, 5 x L x 100 = 2500 x 103
or L = 5000 mm
Provide 6 rollers of 900 mm length each
(Total length provided = 5400 mm).

Total width of the roller nest with a gap of 50 mm between rollers is

= 6 x 100 + 5 x 50 = 850 mm

Allowance should be made for the movement of the rollers on either side,
normally taken as 0.8 mm/m of span = 0.8 x 16 = 12.8 mm,
say 15 mm which is for one side only.

Therefore, for either side = 15 x 2 = 30 mm

Width of the bearing plate = 850 + 30 = 880 mm, say 900 mm
Area of the bed block required = F/σ = (2500 x 103 )/3.8 = 658 x 103 mm2
Adapt a bed block of 1200 mm x 1200 mm (≈ double of the required area).
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Design of Elastomeric Bearing

Elastomer bearing is made from polymer rubber. The bearing can be
unreinforced or reinforced with steel plates embedded in rubber layers. The
bearing is very special as it takes direct compression and shear forces, and
movement by undergoing appropriate deformation. The advantages of
elastomer bearings are:
1. they have no moving part, hence require no maintenance
2. they have small height, therefore reducing the headroom
height which results in reduced cost of the approaches.
3. In case it becomes defective such as splitting or cracking,
it is easily accessed and replaced

Example 7.3
Design an elastomeric unreinforced neoprene pad bearing to suit the
following data: Vertical load (sustained): 200 kN
Vertical load (dynamic): 40 kN
Horizontal force: 60 kN
Modulus of rigidity of elastomer: 1 N/mm2
Friction coefficient: 0.3
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Design

Total vertical load= 200 + 40 = 240 kN

Horizontal force = 60 kN
Select the preferred dimensions from Table 2
a = 250 mm, b = 500 mm
Thickness (t) should be less than a/5,
select a thickness of 30 mm
Area A = 250 x 500 = 125,000 mm2
tan .. = H/GA = (60 x 103)/(1x125,000)=0.48
u = t tan  = 30 tan  = 30 x 0.48 = 14.40 mm
But, t >1.43u > 1.43 x 14.40 = 20.59 < 30 mm,
therefore the design is safe.

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Axial stress ab 250 x 500

Shape factor (s) =   2.77
2t (a  b ) 2 x 30( 250  500)

 m  P / Ae  2GS
Ae  a  u b  ( 250  14.40)500  117 ,800mm 2
P  ( 240 x10 3 ) N

240 x 10 3
Therefore, m   2.03  2 x 1 x 2.77  5.54.
117 ,800

Therefore, the design is safe.

Pc a 200 x 10 3 250
'm   (1 )   1.697  ( 1   1.5 )
Ae b 117 ,800 500
Hence the design is OK

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