STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS

AND
CODE OF PRACTICE
FOR
ROAD BRIDGES
SECTION IX
BEARINGS

Part 0: General design rules

Contents Page

Foreword.......................................................................................

1 Scope........................................................................................
2 General……………………………………………………………….
3 Definitions and symbols..............................................................
4 Layout of bearings…………………………………………………..
5 Basic principles...........................................................................
6 General Design Guidelines.........................................................
7 Transfer of Loads, Forces and Movements………………………
8 Bearing resistances....................................................................
9 Basic design features.................................................................
10 Support plan of Bearings............................................................
11 Corrosion Protection...................................................................
12 Tests for Acceptance, Certification & Marking...........................
13 Packaging, Transport & Storage................................................
14 Installation.................................................................................
15 Maintenance..............................................................................
16 Elements of Inspection…………………………………………….
17 Results and Actions………………………………………………..
18 References..............................................................................

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 Foreword

This standard is sub-divided in the following Parts :

IRC 83 Part 0 – General Design Rules

IRC 83 Part 1 – Roller & Rocker Bearings
IRC 83 Part 2 – Elastomeric Bearings
IRC 83 Part 3 – Pot Bearings
IRC 83 Part 4 – Spherical and Cylindrical Bearings
IRC 83 Part 5 – etc )

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1.0 Scope

This Standard is applicable to bridge bearings (Ref Note 1 below). This Standard does
not cover:
a) Bearings that transmit moments as a primary function; (Ref Note 2 below)
b) Bearings that resist uplift; (Ref Note 3 below)
c) Bearings for movable bridges;
d) Concrete hinges;
e) Seismic devices. (Ref Note 4 below)
Note 1: The arrangement and layout of bearings shall be considered in conjunction with the design of
structure and shall be compatible with the structural system of the bridge. Structural analysis shall duly
take into account the sensitivity of the structure to settlement and deflection of the substructure and
foundation. The bearing forces and movements resulting from such consideration shall then be given to
the bearing manufacturer to ensure that the bearings provided meet the requirements as closely as
possible.

Note 2: Bearings should not generally be expected to resist moments due to rotational movement about
any axis parallel to the x-y plane. Where such rotational movement occurs provision should be made to
accommodate it by means of the bearing or within the structure. In cases where the bearing is required
to resist such rotational movement a careful analysis should be made to ensure that the bearing will not
suffer adversely.

Note 3: Bearing arrangements which, under certain conditions of loading, require bearings to resist
uplift are liable to result in excessive wear in the bearings concerned. Where they are unavoidable, a
possible means of overcoming the problem is to pre-stress the joint vertically to provide the necessary
additional vertical force. Such applications are not covered in this standard.

Note 4: In recent past there have been significant development in the design, manufacture and use of
seismic devices (like energy dissipaters). Bearings are often used as ‘seismic devices’ in high seismic
areas, which influences the seismic response of the structure. These seismic devices can be for base
isolation (i,e. Lead Rubber Bearings, High Density Rubber Bearings, Pendulum Bearings), structural
damping devices like Dampers, STU (Shock Transmission Units). PSD (Preloaded Spring Dampers)).
Such applications are not covered in this standard.

Although it is not intended to regulate temporary bearings this standard may be used
as a guide in those cases. Temporary bearings are bearings used during construction
or repair and maintenance of structures.

2.0 General

2.1 Role of Bearing

All bridges are subjected to movements due to temperature expansion and elastic
strains induced by various forces, especially due to traffic loads. The role of bearings is
to transfer the bearing reaction from the superstructure to the substructure, fulfilling the
design requirements concerning forces, displacements and rotations. The bearings
should allow the displacements and rotations as required by the structural analysis with
very low resistance during the whole lifetime. Thus, the bearings should withstand all
external forces, thermal actions, air moisture changes and weather conditions of the
region.

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2.2 Forces & Movements
Normally, reaction forces and the corresponding movements follow a dual principle -a
non-zero bearing force corresponds to a zero movement and vice versa. An exception
is given only by friction forces which are nearly constant during the movement, and by
elastic restraint forces which are generally proportional to the displacement. Usually,
the bearing forces are divided into vertical and horizontal components. Bearings for
vertical forces normally allow rotations in one direction, some types in all directions. If
they also transmit horizontal forces, usually vertical forces are combined.

3.0 Definitions and symbols

3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this standard, the following definitions apply:
Ultimate limit state (ULS) and serviceability limit state (SLS) as defined in IRC 6.

Serial Terminology Definitions

Nr

3.1.1 Accumulated The sum of the relative movements between the

slide path internal seal and the pot wall resulting from variable
Rotations OR the sum of relative movements at
sliding interface for variable translation.

3.1.2 Anchor bolt An Anchor bolt is an ordinary bolt anchoring the top
and bottom plates to the structure.

3.1.3 Anchoring An arrangement provided to fix the bearing to the

arrangement structure.

3.1.4 Batch Individual mix or blend of mixes of elastomer, when

used for bearing production or a number of identical
components produced at the same machine setting.

3.1.5 Bottom Plate A Bottom plate is a metallic plate which rests on the
supporting structure and transmits forces from a
bearing to the substructure.

3.1.6 Chloroprene Also known as polychloroprene is a polymerised form

Rubber (CR) of the monomer chloroprene

3.1.7 Confined A disc of unreinforced elastomer that is confined

elastomeric within the cylinder by the piston of Pot bearings for
pressure pad accommodating rotational movement about any axis
in horizontal plane and to bear and transmit vertical
load

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