What issues should be noted in the practical application of bowl-shaped rubber bearings?
In the practical application of pot rubber bearings, many aspects such as design, materials, construction, and maintenance need to be paid attention to ensure their normal operation and the safety and stability of the bridge structure. The details are as follows:
1 . In Terms of Design and Selection
- Accurate Load Calculation: During the design stage, various loads that the bridge will bear should be accurately calculated, including dead loads, live loads, temperature loads, wind loads, etc. Select a pot rubber bearing with an appropriate load-bearing capacity according to the calculation results. If the load-bearing capacity is not properly selected, it may lead to premature damage of the bearing or failure to meet the force-bearing requirements of the bridge structure.
- Consideration of Displacement and Rotation Requirements: Fully consider the horizontal displacement and rotation requirements of the bridge under different working conditions to ensure that the displacement and rotation performance of the selected bearing can meet the actual needs. For example, for bridges in areas with large temperature variations, bearings with a large horizontal displacement capacity should be selected; for curved bridges or skew bridges, the multi-directional rotation ability of the bearings should be taken into account.
2 . Control of Material Quality
- Rubber Material: Rubber is an important component of pot rubber bearings, and its quality directly affects the performance and service life of the bearings. High-quality rubber materials should be selected to ensure that they have good elasticity, aging resistance, and fatigue resistance. At the same time, strictly control the indicators such as the hardness and tensile strength of the rubber to make it meet the relevant standard requirements.
- Steel Quality: The steel components of the bearing, such as the steel pot and stainless steel plate, should use suitable steel materials and undergo necessary heat treatment and anti-corrosion treatment. The strength, toughness, and other properties of the steel should meet the design requirements, and the anti-corrosion treatment should be able to effectively prevent the steel from rusting and corroding, thereby extending the service life of the bearing.
3 . During the Installation and Construction Process
- Precise Measurement and Positioning: Before installation, accurately measure the relevant dimensions of the pier and the girder body to ensure that the installation position of the bearing is accurate. The center line of the bearing should coincide with the center lines of the pier and the girder body, and the installation elevation should meet the design requirements. Any installation deviation may lead to uneven force-bearing of the bearing, affecting its normal operation.
- Ensure Installation Accuracy: The installation accuracy requirements for pot rubber bearings are relatively high, especially the contact surface between the polytetrafluoroethylene sliding plate and the stainless steel plate should be flat, smooth, and in good contact. During the installation process, pay attention to avoid damaging each component of the bearing, such as the rubber block and the sealing device. At the same time, tighten the connecting bolts in accordance with the specified sequence and method to ensure that each component of the bearing is firmly connected.
- Pay Attention to Environmental Factors: When installing, pay attention to the influence of environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. In low-temperature or high-temperature environments, corresponding measures should be taken to ensure the installation quality of the bearing. For example, at low temperatures, the rubber material will become hard and brittle, and the installation operation should be more careful; at high temperatures, pay attention to prevent the rubber from deforming due to heat, which may affect the performance of the bearing.
4 . Operation, Maintenance and Management
- Regular Inspection: Establish a regular inspection system to check the working status of the pot rubber bearing. The inspection contents include whether the appearance of the bearing is damaged, whether the rubber is aged and cracked, whether the steel components are rusted, and whether the connecting bolts are loose, etc. Through regular inspections, problems can be found in a timely manner and corresponding maintenance measures can be taken.
- Cleaning and Lubrication: Regularly clean the bearing, remove the dust, debris, and accumulated water on the surface of the bearing, and keep the bearing clean. For the contact surface between the polytetrafluoroethylene sliding plate and the stainless steel plate, regularly apply lubricants such as silicone grease to reduce the frictional resistance and ensure the horizontal displacement performance of the bearing.
- Timely Repair and Replacement: If problems are found with the bearing, such as severe rubber aging and damage to the steel components, repair or replacement should be carried out in a timely manner. For damaged bearings, they should not be used reluctantly, so as not to affect the safety of the bridge structure. When repairing or replacing the bearing, select suitable products and install them according to the correct method.
5 . Seismic Design and Protection
- Consider Seismic Requirements: In earthquake-prone areas, the design and application of pot rubber bearings should fully consider seismic requirements. Some special seismic design measures can be adopted, such as setting seismic anchor bolts and adding damping devices to the bearings, etc., to improve the seismic performance of the bearings and reduce the damage of earthquakes to the bridge structure.
- Inspection, Repair and Restoration after an Earthquake: After an earthquake occurs, promptly conduct a comprehensive inspection of the pot rubber bearings to assess their damage situation during the earthquake. For bearings affected by the earthquake, repair or replacement should be carried out in a timely manner according to the inspection results to ensure that the bridge can be restored to normal use as soon as possible after the earthquake.
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