Disktron Bearings

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.

The Disktron Bearing is composed of four fundamental components; the load plates, the upper and lower bearing plates, the shear resisting mechanism (SRM) and a Polytron elastomeric disc.  The Polytron disc material is a polyurethane blend conforming to AASHTO Specifications and tested at MCEER. The Disktron Bearing is a low profile alternative to the pot bearing and has a longer service life.

Learn more about RJ Watson Bridge & Highway Products, earn Professional Development Hours and have a catered lunch on us!

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Disktron Bearings have rotational capabilities in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. 

Multidirectional bearings allow rotation and displacement in any direction

Fixed bearings allow rotation in any direction and prevent lateral displacement

Flexible guided bridge bearings for curved girder bridges

The Disktron Bearing is composed of four fundamental components; the load plates, the upper and lower bearing plates, the shear resisting mechanism (SRM) and a Polytron elastomeric disc

• The Polytron Disc (rotational element) is not confined, meaning that it can accommodate large, low load rotations, which can be experienced temporarily during erection.
• Vertical load capacity is up to 15,000 kips or more
• Can accommodate all live to dead load ratios
• Rotation capacity in excess of 0.04 radians
• Minimum horizontal load capacity is 10% of the vertical load; much higher loads can be accommodated
• A high allowable compressive stress on the Polytron Disc results in a more compact bearing design
• Separate sole and masonry plates can be attached to bearing plates by bolted, welded or recessed connections

Watch this video of the bearing replacement project on Zilwaukee Bridge in Michigan

RJ Watson is located outside of Buffalo, NY and  has a state of the art 70,000 square foot facility for engineering, fabrication and manufacturing of bearings, joints and other structural devices

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

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.