Bridge
Bearings
Neoprene
Bearing Pads and neoprene bridge bearings are moulded from a mixed compound sheets of high-grade virgin
Neoprene - Polychloroprene Grade- 2 elastomer- synthetic rubber compounds. Rubber
bearings are easier to install than other types of bearing and require
no maintenance. Unlike most other elastomer, Neoprene Rubber undergoes no
marked stiffening at low temperature when the thermal contraction of the
bridge deck is at maximum. Such stiffening could be deleterious to bearing
and / or structure. Correctly-designed and suitably-compounded Neoprene
Rubber bridge bearings can be confidently expected to function efficiently
for at least a hundred years.
As
efficient bearing plates for pre-cast, pre-stressed concrete or steel beams
in bridges and buildings, Neoprene Pads - plain/laminated - manufactured
by us permits a smooth and uniform transfer of load from the beam to the
substructure and allow beam rotation at the bearing due to deflect
ion of the beam under load. They further allow lateral and longitudinal
movement of the beam caused by thermal forces. Neoprene Pads have no movable
parts and thermal expansion and contraction are absorbed by the pad's ability
to give and take in shear. There is no sliding motion between pad and beam
or between pad and abutment.
NEOPRENE
COMPOUND
The
material specifications for the elastomeric bearing shall meet all the
current requirements of AASHTO M 251 (Standard specifications
for laminated elastomeric bridge bearings) as listed under subsections
"Materials" and "Test". Refer to table given in heading Neoprene &
Natural for Physical Properties offered by us on bearings manufactured
by us as per both AASHTO & BS criteria. Natural Rubber Compounds are
used where Laminated Elastomeric bearings are designed, manufactured and
tested in accordance with BS 5400 Part 9.
COMPRESSION
MOULDING
Elastomeric
bearings shall be composed of multiple laminates of elastomeric material
separated by steel reinforcing. The overall size of the bearing, the number
of laminates and thickness of laminates are designed in accordance to the
requirement of Load to be Transferred. Bearings having steel plates as
reinforcement shall be cast/compression moulded/vulcanized as a single
unit in a mould under pressure and heat. The steel plates separating the
elastomeric layers will be completely bonded by vulcanization to the elastomeric
material on all surfaces using special metal to rubber bonding adhesive.
All external load bearing steel plate(s) if present, shall be factory
vulcanized to the elastomeric bearings during the primary molding process.
MECHANICAL
BEARINGS
Mechanical
bearings are also manufactured and supplied by us and further investments
for plant up-gradation is under way.
TESTING
In
house Quick Production Test of all bearings shall be done at Clients/Representative
presence. Tests confirming to AASHTO specification in accordance with Acceptance
Testing on either Level I or Level II or Short/Long-Duration Compression
Test up to 4000 kN can be carried out in our facility.
BEARING
INSTALLATION
To
view an installed Neoprene Bridge Bearing, please click on Installed
Neoprene Bridge Bearing and click the back
button on your browser to get back to this site.
