Elastomeric Bearing Pad
Bearing pads are components designed to transfer loads and accommodate movement between a structure's superstructure and its supporting structure. They are typically made of elastomeric materials like rubber and steel. Their primary function is to distribute loads, allow for expansion and contraction, and reduce stress on the supporting structure.
Elastomeric Bearing Pads:
Purpose:
These pads are used in bridges, buildings, and industrial applications to absorb vibration, distribute stress, and allow for movement due to temperature changes or seismic activity.
Materials:
They are often made of neoprene or other types of rubber, sometimes with steel laminates for added strength.
Types:
There are various types, including plain, laminated, and those with load plates.
Benefits:
They help prevent damage to structures, reduce wear and tear, and extend the lifespan of bridges and buildings.
Other Types of Bearing Pads:
Tilting-pad bearings:
These bearings use a tilting pad to create a hydrodynamic wedge of lubricant, reducing friction and wear.
Fixpad and Flexipad:
These are examples of MacGREGOR's bearing pads, with Fixpad being a fixed steel pad and Flexipad being a non-sliding, flexible pad.
Load bearing pads:
These are solid rubber pads used to absorb compressive forces and vibration in various applications.
In essence, bearing pads are crucial for the structural integrity and longevity of various types of structures by managing loads, accommodating movement, and absorbing vibrations..