Structural Design

Bearings are normally mounted with their short side parallel to the girder axis for maximum rotation capacity. However, orientation at any angle in the horizontal plane will not affect the shear resistance.

Friction is usually sufficient to keep bearings in place, but if minimum loads are light, then a slippage check must be made; use a friction coefficient of 0.2 between elastomer and steel or pre-cast concrete. A coefficient of 0.3 may be used for elastomer against broom-finished concrete or a similar roughened surface.

If a positive location is required, vulcanized bonding to steel plates is suggested (see Figure C). Various installation arrangements are shown in Figures A through C.