Spherical Bearing

◆◆ Advantages of Spherical Rubber Bearings

(1) Spherical rubber bearings transmit forces through the spherical surface, so the reaction force acting on the supporting concrete is relatively uniform.

(2) Spherical rubber bearings have a small rotational torque, making them particularly suitable for bearings that require large rotation angles.

(3) Spherical rubber bearings have consistent rotational performance in all directions, making them suitable for curved bridges and wide bridges.

(4) Spherical rubber bearings are not affected by issues such as rubber hardening or aging (which would impair the rotational performance of bearings), so they are particularly suitable for low-temperature areas.

◆◆ Application Scope of Spherical Rubber Bearings

Spherical rubber bearings have a wide range of applications, mainly covering the following fields:

1.Bridge Engineering:

They are suitable for long-span bridges, such as suspension bridges and cable-stayed bridges. These bearings can bear loads including the bridge's self-weight and vehicle loads, and adapt to the deformation of bridges caused by factors like temperature changes and concrete shrinkage and creep. Meanwhile, due to their uniform rotational performance in all directions, they are also applicable to curved bridges, sloped bridges, skew bridges, and wide bridges, which can meet the special structural and force-bearing requirements of these bridges.

2.Building Structures:

They are widely used in parts such as the grid roofs of stadiums, exhibition centers, etc.; the truss structures of large-scale buildings like railway stations and terminal buildings; the corridors connecting multiple independent building units; and the connections between the towers and podiums of high-rise buildings. They play roles in supporting structures and adapting to structural deformation.

3.Other Engineering Fields:

They are also used in structures such as the foundations of large-scale equipment in power plants, cooling towers, and chimneys; large-scale steel-structured workshops in steel plants; and viaducts and underground stations of urban rail transit. This application is to meet the requirements of these structures in terms of load-bearing, deformation, and other aspects.

In addition, since spherical rubber bearings are free from adverse effects such as rubber hardening or aging, they are particularly suitable for low-temperature areas. At the same time, some seismic-type spherical rubber bearings also have the capability to resist an earthquake intensity of magnitude 9, making them applicable to the fortification of high-seismic-intensity areas.

◆◆ Installation Steps of Spherical Bearings

The installation steps of spherical bearings include the following aspects:

1.Preparation Work:

Inspect the bearings and related accessories to ensure their quality and integrity. The construction unit shall not loosen the connecting bolts or disassemble the bearing components without authorization. If the installation temperature is inconsistent with the design requirements, the longitudinal pre-deflection of the bearing along the bridge shall be calculated and set.

2.Bearing Positioning:

Mark the center line at the designed position of the bearing, and ensure that the longitudinal and transverse center lines of the bearing's top plate coincide with the center line of the designed position. Use steel wedges to adjust the level of the bearing, and make the bottom surface of the lower bearing plate higher than the top surface of the pier/abutment by a certain height.

3.Temporary Fixing:

After the bearing is positioned and aligned, the upper and lower bearing plates shall be temporarily locked and positioned to ensure that the positioning structure remains unchanged during the construction process.

4.Grouting:

Adjust the level of the bearing with steel wedges at the four corners of the lower bearing plate, and pour epoxy mortar or non-shrinkage cement mortar into the pre-embedded holes of the anchoring steel sleeves and the cushion layer at the bottom of the bearing. In some cases, gravity grouting may be required, and the formwork shall be removed after the mortar hardens.

5.Removal of Temporary Connections:

After the beam installation is completed, or after the cast-in-place concrete beam forms an integral structure and reaches the designed strength, and before tensioning the beam's prestress, the connecting steel plates between the upper and lower bearings shall be removed to avoid restricting the normal rotation of the beam.

6.Inspection and Maintenance:

After removing the connecting steel plates, check the bearing for any external damage, and install the external dust cover of the bearing in a timely manner. One year after the bearing is put into use, a quality inspection shall be conducted: remove debris and dust around the bearing, and carefully wipe off the dust on the stainless steel surface with cotton yarn.

The above steps are a general process, and the specific installation method may be adjusted according to different engineering projects and design requirements. During the actual installation process, the relevant technical standards and safety specifications shall be strictly followed.

1. What are your main products?

Our main products include:  Anti-Seismic Flexible Pipelines;Bridge Bearings;Bridge Expansion Joints ;Sealants ; Waterstops

2. Can you provide customized products?

Absolutely! We offer tailored solutions based on your project’s specific requirements, covering everything from material selection (such as NBR, EPDM, and more) to structural design. All custom orders come with detailed technical drawings and professional installation guides to ensure seamless implementation.

3. What certifications does your company possess?

We hold ISO certifications for quality, environmental, and occupational health management systems, ensuring strict compliance with GB/T 17955-2019 and other national standards.

4. Do you offer installation support?

Yes, we provide after-sales support, including remote video guidance for installation.