Bearing Pads

Bearing pads transfer loads or accommodate relative movement between a superstructure and its supporting sub-structure or both uniformly. Bearing pads are available in various types depending on the area of application.

Types listed below:

  • SLIDING TYPE BEARING PADS (FRICTIONLESS BEARING PADS)
  • PLAIN ELASTOMERIC BEARING PAD
  • LAMINATED ELASTOMERIC BEARING PADS (STEEL REINFORCED)

SLIDING TYPE BEARING PADS (FRICTIONLESS BEARING PADS)

Sliding type bearing pads are provided where there is a requirement of higher translation with respect to available area in the abutment, especially in large malls or airports where spans are very wide and the relative translations are more.

PTFE sheets with Mirror finished stainless steel plates are used for obtaining the desired result of higher translations. PTFE is either chemically bonded or fixed using adhesives to the top portion of the bearing pads. Bearing pads are either plain or reinforced with respect to the loads defined.

PLAIN ELASTOMERIC BEARING PAD

Plain elastomeric bearing pads are solid blocks of rubber without any steel reinforcement plates. They are predominantly used where there is low pressure of loads and static conditions. Plain elastomeric bearing pads are simple, low-cost rubber separation strip capable of carrying compressive loads and providing limited translational capacity. They have a varied application in prefabricated structures.

LAMINATED ELASTOMERIC BEARING PADS (STEEL REINFORCED)

Laminated elastomeric bearing pads can accommodate movement in any direction and rotational movement about any axis by elastic deformation. Usually used where bridges are susceptible to high loading, high translation & rotations. Alternate layers of Steel & rubber are vulcanised together to attain the desired load bearing capacity. Laminated bearings pads are manufactured as per requirement at the abutments.