What are the characteristics and application scenarios of pot rubber bearings?

What are the characteristics and application scenarios of pot rubber bearings?

The pot rubber bearing, with its unique structural design and material properties, plays a crucial role in bridge engineering and other fields. The following elaborates in detail on its characteristics and application scenarios:

1.Characteristics of Pot Rubber Bearings

1. High Load-bearing Capacity: By placing the rubber block inside a sealed steel pot, pot rubber bearings utilize the compressive characteristics of rubber under three-dimensional stress. They can withstand extremely large vertical loads. Their load-bearing capacity usually reaches several thousand kilonewtons or even higher, meeting the strict requirements for the load-bearing performance of supports in long-span bridges, heavy-traffic bridges, etc. Effectively, they support the weight of the superstructure of the bridge.
2. Large Horizontal Displacement: A friction pair consisting of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sliding plate and a stainless steel plate is installed, endowing pot rubber bearings with excellent horizontal displacement capabilities. They can adapt to the expansion and contraction deformations of bridges caused by factors such as temperature changes, concrete shrinkage and creep, and vehicle braking forces. The horizontal displacement generally ranges from ±50mm to ±250mm, and some specially designed bearings have even larger displacement amounts, ensuring the safety and stability of the bridge structure under various working conditions.
3. Good Rotation Performance: The rotation function of this type of bearing is achieved through the uneven compression of the rubber block. The rotation angle is usually not less than 0.02rad. This characteristic enables pot rubber bearings to meet the rotation requirements of the bridge girder ends when under stress, ensuring the normal working state of the bridge structure and avoiding structural damage and the generation of additional internal forces due to restricted rotation.
4. Excellent Durability: Since the rubber block is sealed inside the steel pot, isolated from the external environment, the aging speed of the rubber is greatly delayed. At the same time, the steel components of the bearing are treated with special anti-corrosion measures, enhancing their corrosion resistance and improving the overall durability of the bearing. Under normal use and maintenance conditions, pot rubber bearings can work stably for a long time, reducing the economic costs and construction risks associated with frequent bearing replacements.
5. Compact and Reasonable Structure: Pot rubber bearings integrate multiple functions such as load-bearing, rotation, and displacement into a relatively compact structure, occupying a small space. This characteristic is beneficial for the overall layout and design of the bridge, especially suitable for bridge projects with limited space, providing convenient conditions for the structural optimization of the bridge.
6. High Requirements for Manufacturing and Installation: Compared with ordinary rubber bearings, the structure of pot rubber bearings is more complex, including multiple components such as steel pots, rubber blocks, PTFE sliding plates, and sealing rings. The manufacturing process has strict requirements, and the production cost is relatively high. In addition, the installation process has extremely high requirements for accuracy, requiring a professional construction team and precise measuring equipment to ensure the correct installation of each component and the normal operation of the bearing.

2.Application Scenarios of Pot Rubber Bearings

1.Long-span Bridge Projects: In long-span highway and railway bridges, due to the large span and heavy load of the bridge itself, there are extremely high requirements for the load-bearing capacity and deformation adaptability of the bearings. With their high load-bearing capacity, large horizontal displacement, and good rotation performance, pot rubber bearings become the ideal choice for long-span bridges, such as large bridges spanning rivers and valleys. They can reliably support the superstructure of the bridge and ensure the safe operation of the bridge.

2.Bridges with Frequent Heavy Traffic: For bridges with high traffic flow and numerous heavy-duty vehicles, such as highway bridges connecting industrial areas, port terminals, or logistics hubs, pot rubber bearings can withstand the frequent loads of heavy-duty vehicles, effectively disperse the pressure, reduce the fatigue damage of the bridge structure, and extend the service life of the bridge, ensuring the stability and reliability of the bridge under long-term heavy loads.

3.Bridges in Areas with Significant Temperature Changes: In regions with large temperature variations, the bridge structure will undergo obvious expansion and contraction deformations due to temperature rises and falls. The large horizontal displacement capability of pot rubber bearings enables them to adapt to such temperature-induced deformations, preventing problems such as cracks and damage to the bridge structure caused by restricted displacement and ensuring the normal use of the bridge under different temperature conditions.

4.Bridges with Special Structures such as Curved Bridges and Skew Bridges: Curved bridges and skew bridges will generate complex deformations and internal forces when under stress, having high requirements for the rotation and displacement performance of the bearings. The multi-directional rotation and large displacement adaptation capabilities of pot rubber bearings can meet the needs of these bridges with special structures, ensuring the safety and stability of the bridge structure under complex stress conditions.

5.Bridges at Important Transportation Hubs: In bridge projects at important transportation hubs such as highway interchanges and railway stations, there are extremely high requirements for the reliability and durability of the bridges. The excellent performance of pot rubber bearings can ensure the stable operation of the bridge during long-term use, providing a reliable guarantee for the smooth passage of the transportation hub.

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