This spectacular Santiago Calatrava designed bridge required bearings with rotations on the order of 8% which is beyond the capacity of most devices. As a result Disktron Bearings modified for high rotations also known as Pod Bearings were utilized to provide this capability. This structure opened to traffic in March of 2012.
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.
Features
Polytron Disc – By utilizing a polyether urethane disc, the POD Bearing accommodates vertical design loads of 10 to 10,000 kips while maintaining its ability to provide rotation in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
SRM (Shear Resisting Mechanism) – A large diameter high strength steel pin transfers horizontal loads from the upper bearing plate to the baseplate and isolates shear loads from Polytron Disc.
PTFE – The PTFE to stainless steel sliding interface results in a very low coefficient of friction.
Polished Stainless Steel – Stainless steel with a mirror finish provides a low friction sliding interface for the PTFE.
- Rotation capacity in excess of 0.08 radians
- Low vertical deflection for single and multi-span structures
- Ability to handle ultra high braking and traction forces
- Can accommodate all live to dead load ratios
- Accommodates high vertical and horizontal loads
- Maintains tight control of horizontal displacement of structure
Components
Fabrication
The lower bearing plate of the POD bearing with a machined recess for the Polytron Disc. This disc does not require a sealing ring and can be designed to accommodate vertical loads from 10 to 10,000 kips while maintain its ability to provide rotation in any direction.
The Shear Restriction Mechanism designed to accommodate guided thermal expansion is being lowered onto the Polytron Disc. The top surface of this component is finished with a recessed and bonded PTFE.
The center guided sole plate with a polished stainless steel mirror finish provides a low friction sliding interface with the PTFE.
Testing Services
RJ Watson specializes in high load, large displacement, structural and mechanical testing
POD Bearings may be modified for Fixed or Expansion Capabilities
Fixed Bearings
Expansion Bearings
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
