NEWS AND EVENTS

Rubber bearings and rubber pads are important components in structural design for load support, displacement accommodation, and vibration isolation. This article provides a brief overview of product types, material characteristics, quality control, common application scenes, selection references, and routine maintenance. It aims to offer a practical reference for users with procurement or selection needs, helping them make more suitable choices based on actual project conditions.
 

Modern bridges are marvels of engineering. They span massive rivers, connect busy highways, and withstand the constant pounding of heavy trucks, shifting winds, and changing temperatures.

Modern structural engineering pushes the boundaries of size, span, and complexity. Whether we look at a soaring high-speed railway viaduct, a massive stadium dome, or a complex curved highway interchange, these structures share one critical requirement.

When an earthquake strikes, the ground moves violently in multiple directions, generating massive horizontal and vertical forces. These movements can instantly shatter rigid concrete piers, shear support columns, and collapse major bridge spans.

Not all concrete joints serve the same purpose. Construction joints, movement joints, settlement joints and post-cast strips each behave differently and demand specific waterproofing configurations. Polyurethane and polysulfide sealants play a dual role — pairing with waterstops in open, moving joints, and acting as the primary waterproofing barrier in standalone concrete sealing applications.

This article examines the engineering principles, material composition, and field installation practices of water-swellable waterstop strips — also referred to as water-activated expansion joint fillers. It details how hydrophilic waterstop strips expand upon contact with moisture to seal construction joints, key performance indicators such as restrained expansion and adhesion, and proper on-site protocols to ensure long-term waterproofing integrity.