Goodco Z Tech Spherical Bearings
Goodco Z Tech Spherical Bearings
Bearings
Better Building Solutions
Table of contents
SPHERICAL BEARINGS
Goodco Z-Tech spherical bearings consist of an assembly of precision-machined
steel components with spherical concave and convex elements in its center.
Designed and sized according to the specific requirements of your project, these
bearings transfer large vertical loads while accommodating the structure’s
relative movement. Whether they are fixed, unidirectional or multidirectional,
spherical bearings transfer vertical and horizontal load combinations as well as
longitudinal and transverse movements. They can also be equipped with an uplift
SMG Series unidirectional spherical bearing assembly
restraint device.
featurES
• Very low sliding friction
• Highest rotational capacity
• Unlimited movement capacity
• Seizure-free movement
• Removability
• Self-alignment capability
• Easy installation
• Low-cost maintenance
PAGE 3
Spherical Bearings
Convex plate
PTFE
DESIGN PRINCIPLE
The design principle of the spherical bearing is that of a fixed bearing that allows
rotation in any direction, the characteristic feature being that rotational movements
of the bridge superstructure about any axis (point-type tilting) are transformed into
sliding movements between the convex and concave plates of the bearing.
The bottom component is a regular steel plate with a spherically concave top face.
This concave face is covered with a recessed PTFE sheet. The top component is a
solid anodized aluminum or stainless steel plate with a spherically machined convex
bottom face.
When sliding components are added, the fixed bearing becomes a mobile bearing
that can accommodate horizontal movement. This horizontal movement can be
multidirectional or unidirectional if a guiding system is provided. These sliding
components consist of a polished stainless steel sheet welded to the underside
of a steel plate and a PTFE disc bonded to the upper surface of the convex plate.
In order to increase its load-bearing capacity, the PTFE disc is recessed into the steel
to a depth equal to approximately one-half of its thickness. The PTFE disc has small
cavities (lubrication dimples) that contain a special lubricant to ensure permanent
lubrication of the sliding surfaces.
Note:
The unit can be inverted without impairing the design principle, depending on the designer’s preference.
Core section of a spherical bearing
PAGE 4
Spherical Bearings
APPLICATIONS
Goodco Z-Tech spherical bearings can be used for bridges, railway and highway
overpasses or buildings where design or installation require high rotational capacity.
PAGE 5
Spherical Bearings
MATeRIAls
Steel components
All steel plates conform to CSA G40.20/G40.21, Grade 260W (ASTM A36), 300W,
350W (ASTM A572, Grade 50) or 350A (ASTM A588). Other steel grades can also be
supplied, depending on their availability or the specific requirements of the project.
Stainless steel
The stainless steel conforms to ASTM A240/A240M, Type 304 or approved
equivalent. The roughness of the surface in contact with the PTFE, measured in
accordance with CSA B95, must not exceed an arithmetic mean of 0.25 μm for plane
surfaces and 0.5 μm for curved surfaces.
Aluminum
The aluminum convex component conforms to 6061-T6, T651 alloy, and is anodized
according to ASTM B137.45 (25 microns). When the aluminum comes into contact
Concave base of a spherical bearing with dimpled surface
with metallized or galvanized steel, it is properly protected by an isolation pad.
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene/Teflon®)
The PTFE discs are manufactured from pure unfilled sheets, and the PTFE used for
the guide bars can be 15% filled with glass fibers. All PTFE materials are chemically
etched on one face in order to improve bonding.
Lubricant
The lubricant for the PTFE disc conforms to MIL-S-8660C.
Anchorage system
The fusion-welded studs conform to ASTM A108, Grade 1015, 1018 or 1020.
The steel rods conform to CSA G40.20/G40.21, Grade 260W (ASTM A36), 300W,
350W or ASTM F1554, Grade 105 (ASTM A193 B7). The connecting bolts conform
to ASTM A325.
Steel finish
The exposed steel surfaces are zinc-metalized to a minimum thickness of
175 microns, in compliance with CSA G189 (AWS C2.23M/C2.23). It is recommended
that a polyurethane-based primer-sealer be used over the zinc-metalized surfaces.
Epoxy or vinyl coating systems can also be used. The connection bolts and certain
plates are hot-dipped galvanized, in compliance with CSA G164 (ASTM A123).
PAGE 6
Spherical Bearings
SMG Series unidirectional spherical bearing ready for Installation of the first box girders for the Letellier Bridge, including 24 spherical
the delivery to the Letellier Bridge worksite – Winnipeg, MB bearings provided by Goodco Z-Tech.
design
PTFE disc: The coefficient of friction between the polished stainless steel sheet
and the confined PTFE disc at design load is less than 0.03.
AVERAGE MAXIMUM VERTICAL PRESSURE ON THE CONFINED PTFE (IN COMPLIANCE WITH CAN/CSA S6-06)
PTFE guide strips: Recessed PTFE guide strips are designed for a maximum pressure
of 45 MPa (SLS) and 65 MPa (ULS).
Horizontal load capacity: Standard guiding and anchorage systems are designed for a
minimum horizontal load equal to 10% of the bearing’s total vertical load capacity when
this capacity does not exceed 5000 kN. A lower ratio is used for greater load capacities.
Stability constraint: Horizontal load capacity of standard spherical bearings is
limited to 25% of the concurrent vertical load under any load combinations, but
special designs can accommodate higher horizontal loads.
Rotation: Standard bearings are designed for a minimum service rotation of 0.04
radian (SLS), but certain special designs can accommodate a maximum rotation of
up to 0.06 radian.
Concrete stress: Standard base plates are designed for a maximum pressure
of 17 MPa (SLS) and 24 MPa (ULS) on concrete.
Movement: Standard bearings are designed for a minimum movement capacity
of ± 25 mm. Additional movement of the structure must be added to the dimensions
of the sliding plate.
PAGE 7
Spherical Bearings
SERVICE offer
Goodco Z-Tech will provide technical support and prepare conceptual drawings,
without any obligation on the part of the design engineer. In addition, it will supply
any other information required for special bearing applications.
PAGE 8
Spherical Bearings
BC Place Stadium – Vancouver, BC Joint project with Structal-Heavy Steel Construction, a business unit of Canam Group Inc.
PAGE 9
SF Series Fixed Bearings
F
G E D
C
A B
Figure 2 Figure 3
Model No.* Load Capacity (SLS) Base Plate Sole Plate and Bolting Plate Total Height
Maximum Vertical Horizontal A B C D E F G H
kN kN mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
SF 500 500 50 315 215 22 315 215 22 19 132
SF 750 750 75 350 250 22 350 250 22 19 135
SF 1000 1,000 100 385 285 22 385 285 22 19 141
SF 1250 1,250 125 420 320 22 420 320 22 19 145
SF 1500 1,500 150 440 340 22 440 340 22 19 148
SF 1750 1,750 175 465 365 22 465 365 22 19 151
SF 2000 2,000 200 505 390 25 505 390 25 19 160
SF 2500 2,500 250 570 435 28 570 435 28 22 178
SF 3000 3,000 300 610 475 28 610 475 28 22 186
SF 3500 3,500 350 645 515 28 645 515 28 22 191
SF 4000 4,000 400 675 550 28 675 550 28 22 196
SF 4500 4,500 450 705 585 28 705 585 28 22 204
SF 5000 5,000 500 775 615 35 775 615 35 29 233
SF 6000 6,000 550 825 675 35 825 675 35 29 242
SF 7000 7,000 600 880 725 35 880 725 35 29 255
SF 8000 8,000 650 920 775 35 920 775 35 29 263
SF 9000 9,000 700 960 825 35 960 825 35 29 268
SF 10000 10,000 750 1,010 870 35 1,010 870 35 29 281
SF 15000 15,000 1,000 1,235 1,060 41 1,235 1,060 41 35 336
SF 20000 20,000 1,250 1,365 1,225 41 1,365 1,225 41 35 368
Note :
* The bearings listed above are generic. They are designed for maximum vertical loads that each bearing can accommodate, to a maximum pressure of 45 MPa on the PTFE concave disc and to a horizontal load
equal to 10% of the total vertical load at the SLS (but at all times limited to 25% of the concurrent vertical load under all other load cases). All of our bearings are custom manufactured to meet your project
requirements, and can come with connection methods different from those illustrated on page 15. They can be designed and manufactured in accordance with the specifications of the MTQ, MTO, AASHTO
and other design codes. For special bearing designs, please contact our Engineering Department.
PAGE 10
SM Series Multidirectional Bearings
F
G E D
C
A B
Figure 4 Figure 5
Model No. * Load Capacity (SLS) Base Plate Sole Plate and Sliding Plate Total Height
Maximum Vertical A B C D** E** F G H
kN mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
SM 500 500 315 215 22 315 225 22 19 155
SM 750 750 345 245 22 345 255 22 19 158
SM 1000 1,000 375 275 22 375 275 22 19 164
SM 1250 1,250 400 310 22 400 310 22 19 168
SM 1500 1,500 420 340 22 420 340 22 19 171
SM 1750 1,750 450 365 22 450 365 22 19 174
SM 2000 2,000 485 390 25 485 390 25 19 183
SM 2500 2,500 545 435 28 545 435 28 22 204
SM 3000 3,000 580 475 28 580 475 28 25 212
SM 3500 3,500 610 515 28 610 515 31 28 223
SM 4000 4,000 645 550 28 645 550 31 31 234
SM 4500 4,500 670 585 28 670 585 35 31 242
SM 5000 5,000 740 615 35 740 615 35 35 266
SM 6000 6,000 785 675 35 785 675 38 38 281
SM 7000 7,000 835 725 35 835 725 41 41 296
SM 8000 8,000 875 775 35 875 775 44 41 308
SM 9000 9,000 915 825 35 915 825 47 47 325
SM 10000 10,000 965 870 34 965 870 50 47 336
SM 15000 15,000 1,185 1,060 41 1,185 1,060 60 57 404
SM 20000 20,000 1,305 1,225 47 1,305 1,225 69 66 453
Notes :
* The bearings listed above are generic. They are designed for maximum vertical loads that each bearing can accommodate, to a maximum pressure of 45 MPa on the PTFE concave disc and to a horizontal load
equal to 10% of the total vertical load at the SLS (but at all times limited to 25% of the concurrent vertical load under all other load cases). All of our bearings are custom manufactured to meet your project
requirements, and can come with connection methods different from those illustrated on page 15. They can be designed and manufactured in accordance with the specifications of the MTQ, MTO, AASHTO
and other design codes. For special bearing designs, please contact our Engineering Department.
** Standard bearings are designed for a total movement of 50 mm (± 25 mm). Any additional movement required must be added to dimensions “D” or “E”.
PAGE 11
SMG Series Unidirectional Edge-Guided Bearings
F
G E D
C
A B
Figure 6 Figure 7
Model No. * Load Capacity (SLS) Base Plate Sole Plate and Sliding Plate Total Height
Verticale maximale Transversale A B C D E** F G H
kN kN mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
SMG 500 500 50 380 215 22 380 225 22 19 155
SMG 750 750 75 425 245 22 425 255 22 19 158
SMG 1000 1,000 100 455 275 22 455 275 22 19 164
SMG 1250 1,250 125 480 310 22 480 310 22 19 168
SMG 1500 1,500 150 500 340 22 500 340 22 19 171
SMG 1750 1,750 175 540 365 22 540 365 22 19 174
SMG 2000 2,000 200 575 390 25 575 390 25 19 183
SMG 2500 2,500 250 635 435 28 635 435 28 22 204
SMG 3000 3,000 300 680 475 28 680 475 28 25 212
SMG 3500 3,500 350 715 515 28 715 515 31 28 223
SMG 4000 4,000 400 750 550 28 750 550 31 31 234
SMG 4500 4,500 450 770 585 28 770 585 35 31 242
SMG 5000 5,000 500 850 615 35 850 615 35 35 266
SMG 6000 6,000 550 895 675 35 895 675 38 38 281
SMG 7000 7,000 600 950 725 35 950 725 41 41 296
SMG 8000 8,000 650 990 775 35 990 775 44 41 308
SMG 9000 9,000 700 1,030 825 35 1,030 825 47 47 325
SMG 10000 10,000 750 1,075 870 34 1,075 870 50 47 336
SMG 15000 15,000 1,000 1,300 1,060 41 1,300 1,060 60 57 404
SMG 20000 20,000 1,250 1,435 1,225 47 1,435 1,225 69 66 453
Notes:
* The bearings listed above are generic. They are designed for maximum vertical loads that each bearing can accommodate, to a maximum pressure of 45 MPa on the PTFE concave disc and to a horizontal
load equal to 10% of the total vertical load at the SLS (but at all times limited to 25% of the concurrent vertical load under all other load cases). All of our bearings are custom manufactured to meet your project
requirements, and can come with connection methods different from those illustrated on page 15. They can be designed and manufactured in accordance with the specifications of the MTQ, MTO, AASHTO
and other design codes. For special bearing designs, please contact our Engineering Department.
** Standard bearings are designed for a total movement of 50 mm (± 25 mm). Any additional movement required must be added to dimensions “E”.
PAGE 12
Railway Bridge Bearings
CN bearings
The Goodco Z-Tech CN type bearing is a self-lubricating spherical bearing consisting
of bronze-to-steel rotational and horizontal movement surfaces. For bronze alloy
selection, see chart.
CP bearings
The Goodco Z-Tech CP type bearing is a self-lubricating spherical bearing consisting of
a bronze-to steel horizontal movement surface and a steel-on-steel rotational surface.
For bronze alloy selection, see chart.
PAGE 13
Bearings with Uplift Restraint Device
Base plate
Concave plate
Uplift
restraint device Lug plate
Figure 10
Guide bars
Figure 11
Goodco Z-Tech spherical bearings equipped with an uplift restraint device are designed
to accommodate rotation and movement concurrently with uplift forces, as required. Examples of spherical bearings
with an uplift restraint device designed
Note:
* T he figures above illustrate the general concept of the Goodco Z-Tech spherical bearings equipped with an uplift restraint device.
to eliminate uplift forces
For special designs, please contact our Engineering Department.
PAGE 14
Connection Details
Figure 12 Figure 14
Figure 13 Figure 15
Anchor
bolt
Figure 16
PAGE 15
Installation, Handling and Storage
bedding
Bearings must be on flat, rigid bedding. Whether it is cement mortar, epoxy, regular Proper installation of the bearings
concrete or non-shrink grout, it is extremely important that the final bedding be free is critical to obtaining excellent
of protrusions, hard spots, shrinkage, air voids, etc. performance and avoiding
Unless otherwise specified, the bearings must be installed on a horizontal plane costly repairs.
(Figure 17).
Sloped girder
Beveled plate
Flat,
rigid bedding
PAGE 16
Installation, Handling and Storage
CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE
Bridge designers must allow enough Proper measures must be taken in order to ensure that the bearings are not damaged
clearance for jacking the structure. by the formwork or contaminated by the concrete. The interface between the sole
Otherwise, this operation could prove plate and the formwork must be protected and sealed.
to be very costly. Given the loading effect of a wet concrete mass, the upper sub-assembly should
be supported in order to prevent rotation and distortion of the plate. Upper
sub-assemblies with stainless steel sliding on PTFE are especially vulnerable in this
regard.
PResetting
If presetting of the bearings is required due to certain field operations that can
cause large movements, it should be specified as a requirement, and should only
be carried out in our manufacturing plant prior to shipping.
FIELD WELD
If the bearings must be subjected to field welding operations, particular care
must be taken to protect them against sparks and burrs. Welding should also be
controlled in order to prevent excessive heat transfer to the elastomeric pad and
PTFE components. Only welding procedures approved by the competent authorities
must be performed.
BEARING REMOVABILITY
Where possible, bearings must be designed to be removable. Standard Goodco
Z-Tech spherical bearings are removable. However, this feature should be included
in the contract specifications.
BEARING IDENTIFICATION
Black markings are used to identify each bearing. The arrow painted on the sole
plate indicates the longitudinal direction of the bearing. If necessary, a typical layout
plan can be included with the shop drawings to enable the contractor to identify
the exact location of each bearing.
PAGE 17
Installation, Handling and Storage
DON’TS:
Figure 19
1. D
isassemble the bearings
on the job site.
2. Leave the bearings uncovered.
PROTECTION 3. Install any bearing that shows
Spherical bearings are composed of materials and coated with finishes that are signs of damage.
sensitive to contaminants. It is important to protect the bearings against the effects
4. A
ttempt to make repairs without
of operations causing projections. The effect of operations such as welding, grinding,
the approval of Goodco Z-Tech.
sandblasting, spray painting, shotcreting, sawing, flame cutting, compressed air
cleaning, pressure washing and high-pressure water blasting could damage or 5. U
se the temporary transportation
contaminate the bearings and undermine their performance and durability. plates for lifting.
PAGE 18
Quality Commitment
QUALIFICATIONS
• W59: Welded Steel Construction • W47.1 (Division 1): Certification •W
186: Welding of Reinforcing
(Metal Arc Welding) of Companies for Fusion Welding Bars in Reinforced
of Steel Structures Concrete Construction
PAGE 19
Spherical
Bearings
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