How to quickly determine whether the bridge bearings are aged or damaged from the appearance when passing by a bridge?

Passing by a Bridge: A Quick Guide to Judging the Appearance of Bridge Bearings

Ordinary pedestrians do not need professional tools. They can observe the support components at the top of the bridge pier and focus on four intuitive features to preliminarily determine whether they are aging or damaged.

1. Check the status of rubber components (for plate rubber bearings+)

·If the rubber on the surface of the support shows obvious cracking, peeling, hardening and brittleness, or the color changes from black to gray white, it is most likely due to rubber aging.

·If the rubber part has bulges, dents, severe deformation, or even local damage or missing parts, it indicates that the support has been damaged.

2. Check the status of metal components (for pot supports * or metal connectors *)

·Observe the metal steel plate, basin or connecting parts of the support. If there is extensive rusting or corrosion, especially at the weld seam, there may be rust or cracks

Crack, be alert.

·If there is obvious deformation or misalignment of metal components, such as the tilting of the upper cover plate of the bowl shaped support, it is also a signal of damage.

3. Check displacement and gaps

·Normal bearings may experience slight displacement, but if the bearings deviate from the center of the bridge pier as a whole, or if the gaps between the bearings and the beam or bridge pier are significantly uneven or too large, it may be a failure of the bearings.

·If you see cracks or breakage in the cushion stones below the support, it will indirectly reflect abnormal stress on the support.

4. Check for leaks and foreign objects

·If there is oil leakage or seepage (with obvious oil stains on the surface) in the bowl shaped support, it indicates that the sealing components are aging and the internal structure may be damaged. If a large amount of stones, garbage, or plant roots invade around the support, it will accelerate the aging of the support in the long run, and attention should also be paid.

Important reminder: The above is only a preliminary appearance judgment. If any suspected problems are found, it is recommended to promptly report them through the feedback channel publicly announced by the bridge management department. Do not approach or touch the bearings on your own.