requiring the selection of a large bearing which under permanent effects is subject to low

compressive stress.

Figure 1. Gap under Bearing

The committee investigated increasing the rated load of elastomeric bearings by increasing the
strain limit and the stress limit, with the intention that this would allow the selection of a bearing
with a smaller plan area. Load/rotation charts, as shown in Figure 2, showing the load range of
bearings at various shear deflections were developed to investigate design rules. After
comparisons with other Codes and bearing testing results it was decided not to change the
current formulas for the vertical load capacity.

Figure 2. Load/Rotation Chart

The chart demonstrates that taller bearings with low compressive stiffness have higher
rotational capacity. It can also be shown that for a given height and plan size, bearings with
thicker internal layers have higher rotational capacity as the compressive stiffness is lower and
rotational capacity is related to its concurrent compressive deflection