Bearings are usually designed to sit in a horizontal plane so as to avoid the effect of additional horizontal force and uneven pressure distribution resulting from non-horizontal placing of bearings [43]. For an inclined bridge deck subject to a large longitudinal movement, a sudden jump is induced at the expansion joint and discontinuity of joint results. To solve this problem, an inclined bearing instead of a truly horizontal bearing is adopted if the piers can take up the induced horizontal forces.

This question is taken from book named – A Self Learning Manual – Mastering Different Fields of Civil Engineering Works (VC-Q-A-Method) by Vincent T. H. CHU.

Movement joints are normally added to bridge structures to accommodate movements due to dimensional changes arising from temperature variation, shrinkage, creep and effect of prestress. However, the provision of excessive movement joints should be avoided in design because movement joints always encounter problems giving rise to trouble in normal operation and this increases the cost of maintenance.

Some designers may prefer to add more movement joints to guard against possible occurrence of differential settlements. However, the effect of continuity is disabled by this excessive introduction of movement joints. In essence, the structural reserve provided by a continuous bridge is destroyed by the multiple-span statically determinate structure resulting from the addition of excessive joints.

This question is taken from book named – A Self Learning Manual – Mastering Different Fields of Civil Engineering Works (VC-Q-A-Method) by Vincent T. H. CHU.

In roller bearing for a given movement the roller bearing exhibit a change in pressure centre from its original position by one-half of its movement based on David J. Lee. However, with sliding bearing a sliding plate is attached to the upper superstructure and the moving part of bearing element is built in the substructure. It follows that there is no change in pressure center after the movement.

This question is taken from book named – A Self Learning Manual – Mastering Different Fields of Civil Engineering Works (VC-Q-A-Method) by Vincent T. H. CHU.

Circular bearings have the advantage for standardization because only one dimension can vary in plan. They are suitable for use in curved and large skewed bridge as they could accommodate movement and rotations in multiple directions.

Rectangular bearings are suitable for low skewed bridges. In particular, it is best suited in bridges with large rotations and movements

This question is taken from book named – A Self Learning Manual – Mastering Different Fields of Civil Engineering Works (VC-Q-A-Method) by Vincent T. H. CHU.

For elastomeric bearing, the shear stiffness is an important parameter for design because it influences the force transfer between the bridge and its piers. In essence, elastomers are flexible under shear deformation but it is relatively stiff in compression. However, elastomeric bearings should not be used in tension.

Elastomeric bearing should be designed in serviceability limit state only. The cross sectional area is normally determined by the compressive stress limit under serviceability limit state. The shape factor, i.e. plan area of the laminar layer divided by area of perimeter free to bulge, affects the relation and the compressive load. In essence, higher
capacity of bearings could be obtained with higher shape factor.

The long side of the bearing is usually oriented parallel to the principle axis of rotation because it facilitates rotational movement. The thickness of bearings is limited and controlled by shear strain requirements. In essence, the shear strain should be less than a certain limit to avoid the occurrence of rolling over at the edges and delamination due to fatigue. Hence, it follows that higher rotations and translations require thicker bearing. On the other hand, the vertical stiffness of bearings is obtained by inserting sufficient number of steel plates. In addition, checks should be made on combined compression and rotation to guard against the possible occurrence of uplifting of corners of bearings under certain load combinations.

This question is taken from book named – A Self Learning Manual – Mastering Different Fields of Civil Engineering Works (VC-Q-A-Method) by Vincent T. H. CHU.