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Steel-reinforced
elastomeric bearing pads incorporate multiple thin steel layers between
the layers of rubber. The manufacturing process uses heat and pressure
to vulcanize the materials together into a homogenous unit. The presence
of reinforcements limits the ability of the elastomer to bulge at the
sides, and results in greatly increased longitudinal movement, compressive
strength, and rotational capacity.
Bearings come in either Neoprene or natural rubber, and are commonly
called out in the AASHTO specification for highway bridges. They range
in durometer from 50 to 70 depending on the required modulus. Steel
shim thicknesses are typically 10, 11, 12 or 14 gauge per ASTM A1011.
Flexible manufacturing techniques allow for bearings with holes or
clipped corners in order to accommodate special conditions. |
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