
Project Overview
RJ Watson, Inc. is proud to have contributed to the successful installation of the Veteran’s Park Memorial Bridge in Kent, NY. Originally a research structure at the University at Buffalo, this 40-ft steel bridge was repurposed to provide a crucial pedestrian crossing over Lake Carmel after repeated storm damage to culverts in the area.
RJ Watson’s Role
As a key collaborator in this project, RJ Watson fabricated and supplied four uplift restricting bridge bearings, ensuring the structural integrity and long-term performance of the bridge. These bearings were initially provided at no charge to the University at Buffalo as part of a research project. Following rigorous seismic resilience testing at the university—where the bridge endured over 100 simulated earthquake events without damage—the bearings were returned to our facility. Seizing the opportunity, our team conducted additional elective testing to further advance our understanding of their performance under various conditions.
Ironically, not long after our internal research concluded, we received an unexpected notice: the bearings could be repurposed for a real-world pedestrian bridge in Kent, NY. What began as an academic experiment quickly transformed into a practical infrastructure solution, proving the real-world adaptability of our engineered products.
Technical Details of RJ Watson’s Bearings
The four bearings supplied by RJ Watson were designed to handle significant structural demands. Each bearing supports a vertical service load of 45 kips, a vertical dead load of 33.75 kips, and a vertical strength load of 61 kips. Horizontally, they accommodate a service load of 4.5 kips, a strength load of 6.75 kips, and an extreme event load of 22.50 kips. To ensure flexibility and adaptability, the bearings allow for a total longitudinal displacement of 5.00 inches and a total transverse displacement of 7.00 inches. They also feature a service rotation capacity of ±0.009 radians and a strength rotation capacity of ±0.010 radians. Additionally, the bearings were engineered with an approximate dead load deflection of 0.013 inches and can withstand an uplift strength load of 45.00 kips. These specifications ensure that the bridge remains stable, durable, and resilient against various environmental and structural challenges.
Project Highlights
- Seismic-Resilient Design: Initially used for seismic resilience testing, the bridge endured over 100 simulated earthquake events without damage.
- Engineering Innovation: The bridge features buckling-restrained braces (BRBs), showcasing advancements in earthquake-resistant infrastructure.
- Sustainable Infrastructure: The successful reuse of the bridge highlights steel’s durability and recyclability in real-world applications.
- Community Impact: The bridge will provide safe pedestrian access and improve emergency response in a flood-prone area.
Project Completion & Dedication
The Veteran’s Park Memorial Bridge is set to open for pedestrians in mid-November, with a formal dedication ceremony scheduled for Memorial Day 2025.
RJ Watson remains committed to engineering excellence and sustainable infrastructure solutions. We are honored to contribute to this innovative project, reinforcing the importance of resilient and adaptable bridge design.
For more information about RJ Watson’s bridge bearing solutions, visit www.rjwatson.com.