A bridge bearing is a component of a bridge which typically provides a resting surface between bridge piers and the bridge deck. The purpose of a bearing is to allow controlled movement and thereby reduce the stresses involved. Movement could be thermal expansion or contraction, or movement from other sources such as seismic activity. There are several different types of bridge bearings which are used depending on a number of different factors including the bridge span. The oldest use of disc bearings date back from simple plates, to pot bearings and rocker bearings.
Testing at the University of Buffalo’s prestigious MCEER (Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research) has demonstrated that disc bearings are the technological preference for mitigating the stresses on the structures and sub-structures in seismic and non-seismic events.
RJ Watson designs and manufactures custom disc bearings with the ability to withstand vertical loads ranging from 10 to 14,000 kips (44.5 kN – 62,275 kN). RJ Watson structural bearing devices have rotational capabilities in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. Thousands of RJ Watson bridge bearings have been tested and installed worldwide.
RJ Watson Disktron Bearings were in installed on the prestigious Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge
Disktron Bearings
Disktron Bearings have rotational capabilities in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.
EQS Bearings
RJ Watson EradiQuake Seismic Isolation Bridge Bearings are designed to minimize forces and displacements experienced by structures during an earthquake.
POD Bearings
Using Disktron Bearing System technology, the POD bearing design incorporates tighter tolerance design parameters to handle the higher braking and traction loads seen in high speed rail applications.
Uplift Bearings
The uplift bearing can be designed to provide the vertical restraint required for your application.
Spherical Bearings
RJW Spherical Bearings are used to accommodate thermal, seismic and mechanical expansion and contraction.
RJ Watson provides at no cost or obligation engineering proposal on any project where you are interested in evaluating the benefits of the RJ Watson product line
No Cost/No Obligation Estimates
Our staff of experienced engineers will assist you with your proposals and will work within your tight time constraints.
RJ Watson’s in house operations include a fabrication shop with overhead cranes, heavy lifting capacities, certified welders, weld positioners, media blasting, machine shop and state of the art testing facility.
