Evaluation of Laminated Circular Elastomeric Bearings
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 12, Issue 1
Abstract
This paper evaluates the behavior and performance of laminated circular elastomeric bearings and compares them to those of square and rectangular bearings. The study included an experimental evaluation and a nationwide survey of state Department of Transportations on the use and performance of circular bearings and bearings in general in their states. The experimental investigation studied the bearings' behavior in compression, compression and rotation, and compression and shear. Results from this limited study showed that the three bearings have similar stress-strain behavior in compression and they are in agreement with the AASHTO LRFD guide stress–strain curves. In compression and rotation, the AASHTO LRFD substructure moments are slightly less than the measured values for circular bearings and rectangular bearings rotated about their strong axis for a compressive stress of and slightly higher than those of rectangular bearings rotated about their weak axis. In compression and shear, the shear stiffness of circular and square bearings is in agreement with theoretical values within the range of design displacements. Results from the survey showed that many states are using circular bearings and more states would consider using them, however no maintenance or monitoring data were available on their short-term and long-term performance.
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Acknowledgments
This study was funded in part by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) under Contract No. UNSPECIFIED104. The writers would like to acknowledge the financial support of NJDOT and would like to thank Nick Vitillo, Bob Sasor, and Jose Lopez from the NJDOT Research Bureau for their support and contributions. The findings expressed in this article are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the view of NJDOT.
References
AASHTO. (1998). LRFD bridge design specifications, 2nd Ed., Washington, D.C.
AASHTO. (2002). Standard specifications for highway bridges, 17th Ed., Washington, D.C.
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Muscarella, J. V., and Yura, J. A. (1995). “An experimental study of elastomeric bridge bearings with design recommendations.” Research Rep. No. FHWA/TX-98/1304-3, Texas Department of Transportation, Austin, Tex.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 12 • Issue 1 • January 2007
Pages: 89 - 97
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 9, 2004
Accepted: Aug 18, 2005
Published online: Jan 1, 2007
Published in print: Jan 2007
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