Application Cases of Bowl-Type Rubber Bearings in Long-Span Bridges
There are numerous application cases of pot rubber bearings in long-span bridges. Here are several typical examples for you:
- The North Branch Bridge of Nanjing Yangtze River Second Bridge: In 1998, large-tonnage pot rubber bearings were applied to the 5-span continuous box girder (90m + 3×165m + 90m) of the North Branch Bridge of Nanjing Yangtze River Second Bridge. The maximum design bearing capacity reached 6,500 tons, which was the pot rubber bearing with the largest design bearing capacity in China at that time. The bridge has a large span and heavy load. With its high load-bearing capacity, the pot rubber bearing supported the superstructure of the bridge very well, evenly transmitting the huge load to the substructure. At the same time, its excellent horizontal displacement and rotation performance effectively adapted to the complex deformations of the girder caused by factors such as temperature changes, concrete shrinkage and creep, and vehicle loads, ensuring the stability and safety of the bridge.
- Sutong Yangtze River Bridge: The Sutong Yangtze River Bridge is a large cable-stayed bridge with a main span of 1,088 meters. A large number of pot rubber bearings were used in the construction of this bridge. Due to the complex deformation and stress conditions of the cable-stayed bridge structure under the action of wind loads, vehicle loads, and temperature changes, the high load-bearing capacity of the pot rubber bearings ensured stable support for the bridge structure. Their excellent rotation and displacement performance enabled the bridge girder to maintain a normal working state under various working conditions, effectively reducing the additional internal forces of the structure and improving the service life and safety of the bridge.
- Hangzhou Bay Bridge: As an extremely long cross-sea bridge, pot rubber bearings were also adopted during the construction of the Hangzhou Bay Bridge. The bridge is located in a complex environment, facing problems such as large temperature changes and corrosion in the marine environment, and it also has to bear huge traffic loads. The durability advantage of the pot rubber bearings is reflected here. The rubber block is sealed in the steel pot, reducing its contact with the external environment and delaying the aging speed of the rubber. The steel components, after being well anti-corrosively treated, can maintain stable performance in the marine environment. Its large displacement and rotation performance also adapt to the deformation requirements of the bridge under the action of temperature changes and vehicle loads.
- The Rhine River Bridge between Wiesbaden-Schierstein, Germany: In 1962, pot rubber bearings were first used on the highway Bridge B42 spanning the Rhine River between Wiesbaden-Schierstein in Germany, and they have been operating well ever since. This bridge adopted pot rubber bearings, taking advantage of their large load-bearing capacity, large allowable bearing displacement, flexible rotation and other advantages, effectively adapting to the deformation requirements of the bridge under various loads and environmental effects.
- Some long-span cross-sea bridges in the United States: For example, some long-span bridges connecting coastal islands and the mainland in the United States, such as some bridges spanning the Gulf of Mexico and other sea areas, in order to adapt to the complex load conditions and large displacement and rotation requirements in the marine environment during construction, pot rubber bearings were selected. The corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties of pot rubber bearings enable them to work stably for a long time in the marine environment, ensuring the safety and stability of the bridge.
- The Tatara Bridge in Japan: Although there is no clear information directly indicating that it uses pot rubber bearings, as a long-span cable-stayed bridge, theoretically, it is possible to use pot rubber bearings. Pot rubber bearings can provide reliable vertical support, horizontal displacement and rotation capabilities for a long-span bridge like the Tatara Bridge, adapting to the deformation requirements of the bridge under natural disasters such as strong winds and earthquakes, as well as the action of vehicle loads.
