7.

BEARINGS AND RAILINGS

BEARINGS
Bearings are structural devices positioned between the bridge 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.
Movements should be accommodated properly and these result from
a) longitudinal movement due to temperature changes-reversible
b) rotation due to deflection of girders- live load deflection is reversible
c) vertical movement due to settlement of support- irreversible
d) movement due to shrinkage, creep or prestressing-irreversible

Bearings are categorized in to two as

a) Fixed bearings – are fixed against translation, but free to rotate
b) Expansion bearings-are free to translate and rotate

Selection of the type depends on the type of superstructure, type of substructure supports
and the length of the span.

- A simply supported span requires fixed bearings at one and expansion joints at the
other.
- A continuous girder require fixed bearing at one and expansion bearing on all
other supports
- A two span girder will have fixed bearing at the centre support and expansion
bearings at the two abutments

Bearings are important components of bridges and call for care in design, skill in
execution, regular attention in maintenance. Faulty design or malfunctioning bearings due

Fundamentals of Bridges Design 54

to clogging by debris have often resulted in collapse of bridges due to the high stresses
induced due to restrained motion.
On certain major bridges bearing cost is as high as 10-15% of the total cost. It is worth
designing carefully and inspecting regularly for maintenance.
Types of Bearings
For slab bridges no special bearings are provided because the translational movement is
very small. Edges of supports are beveled to allow for rotation.
The following are the different types of bearings for girder bridges
- Sliding plate bearing- is the simplest type of bearing. This utilizes one plate
sliding on another. This type is used for bridges up to 30m span. Flat plates were
common but due to freezing and high frictional forces the surface of the upper
plate is slightly curved as shown in Figure below.

Figure: Sliding plate bearing

Fundamentals of Bridges Design 55

 - Roller bearing- in this type rotation is accommodated by the pin and translation
by the use of a roller or a group of rollers. See Figure below. This is used for
spans of moderate length.

Figure: Roller bearing

- Rocker bearing- this is used for longer spans and is used to accommodate large
live load deflections. See Figure below.

Figure: Rocker bearing

In seismic areas suitable guides should be provided to prevent the roller and
rocker components from being displaced off abutments and piers during
earthquakes.

- Elastomeric bearing- is made of a polymeric substance called elastomer (either

natural or synthetic rubber).

Fundamentals of Bridges Design 56

 This can be reinforced with steel plates, which are usually the case, or may be
unreinforced. This is very strong in compression and relatively week in shear,
thus allowing horizontal displacement. This has shown good weathering
performance and so incurs low maintenance cost. This type is favored for
bearings. This is used for medium to large spans. See Figure below.

Figure: Elastomeric bearing

- Lead Rubber bearing-is an elastomeric bearing equipped with lead core and is
used in highly seismic areas. See Figure below. Under normal loading conditions,
the lead core resists lateral loads. Under seismically induced dynamic loads,
however, the lead core yields and assists the elastomeric material in resisting
loads while at the same time accommodating lateral flexibility.

Fundamentals of Bridges Design 57

RAILINGS
Railings are provided along edges of bridges for protection of traffic and pedestrian.
There are three types of railings.
1. Traffic railings
2. Pedestrian railings
3. Combination railings

The following guideline indicate the application of various types of rails

- Traffic railings is used when a bridge is for the execution use of highway traffic
- A combination railing in conjunction with raised curb and side walk is used on
low-speed highways.
- On high speed highways the pedestrian path should have both an out board
pedestrian railing and an inboard combination railing

Aesthetics and freedom of view from passing vehicles should also be taken in to
consideration.

Traffic Railing
The primary purpose of traffic railings is to contain and redirect errant vehicles.
Specifically they serve the purposes of

- primarily containing the average vehicle

- protecting the occupants of a vehicle in collision with the railing
- protecting other vehicles near the collision
- protecting people and property on roadway and nearby areas underneath

A traffic railing should provide a smooth and continuous face on the traffic side.
Steel and concrete posts should set back from the face to the rail.

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Pedestrian Railing
Pedestrian railing can be made from concrete, metal and timber.
A pedestrian walkway should be separated from roadway by a barrier curb, traffic railing
or combination railing.

Combination Railing
Consists of traffic and pedestrian railings

Fundamentals of Bridges Design 59