Since their US
introduction in the 1950’s elastomeric bearing pads have become
the standard for both steel and concrete bridge structures throughout
North America. They are manufactured with a service life that typically exceeds that of the bridge
superstructure itself. So far as we know, the first use of rubber
bearings in a bridge was in Australia in 1889; a century later, these
bearings were reportedly still in service.
Bearings with a large number of steel shims relative to the overall
volume of rubber can handle higher loads and shear forces; by contrast,
bearings with wider spacing of the steel shims can provide excellent
vibration isolation characteristics, and are often used in theaters
and concert halls. By manipulating a small number of variables, engineers
can design an elastomeric bearing to suit most any application.
Simply put, our ability to manufacture and test bearing pads for multiple applications has become our signature. From bridge bearings that require compensation for rotations, loads, and horizontal movements to buildings, light rail projects and machinery that compensate for vibrations, we can make virtually any shape or size of product desired.
Just click on any of these images to exlpore our product line.
|