As precision mechanical components engineered to accommodate the inevitable movements of bridge structures, bearings represent one of the most critical elements in any infrastructure project. Selecting the correct bearing type, and ensuring expert installation, monitoring, maintenance and eventual replacement, demands specialist knowledge at every stage.
The forces acting on bridge structures are diverse and originate from multiple sources: the dead weight of the structure itself, shrinkage and creep effects, wind loading, thermal expansion and contraction, live traffic loads, horizontal forces from vehicle acceleration, braking or lateral skidding, impact forces from collisions, differential settlement of supports, and seismic activity.
Bridgent engineered bearings are purpose-designed to facilitate reliable load transfer between the superstructure and the substructure, while simultaneously accommodating the translational movements and rotational demands of the superstructure throughout its service life.
Bridgent has developed an extensive portfolio of precision-engineered structural bearings spanning five fundamental design families, each optimised for specific structural requirements:
Bridgent also engineers a diverse range of purpose-built devices, designed, manufactured and tested against client-specific performance criteria, including but not limited to:
All bespoke devices are developed through close collaboration between Bridgent's structural engineers and bearing design specialists.
A dedicated structural engineering department supports clients from the earliest project stages, identifying the most appropriate bearing type, sizing the solution to match structural demands and budget constraints. Our team of structural and mechanical engineers utilises advanced 3D modelling software to deliver precise, project-specific designs.
All Bridgent structural bearings are manufactured in-house, integrating every competency from initial design and prototype validation through to production, quality inspection and logistics. Our accredited test facility is equipped to conduct comprehensive static and dynamic testing in full compliance with international standards.
Depending on project requirements, Bridgent can provide on-site technical advisory services or undertake the complete installation of bearings through our globally deployed specialist teams. We also supply comprehensive maintenance documentation with every delivery, specifying inspection intervals tailored to the structure's characteristics and operating environment.
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Functioning as flexible elastic connections between structural elements, elastomeric bearings are the most widely specified bearing type globally. They transmit vertical forces, accommodate horizontal movements, permit multi-directional rotation, and transfer horizontal forces within defined limits.
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Structural rotations are accommodated via an elastomeric pad confined within a steel pot, delivering high vertical stiffness combined with low rotational resistance. Pot bearings offer a cost-effective solution for structures subject to high vertical loads and small to moderate horizontal forces.
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The spherical sliding interface enables low-friction rotation about any axis. Spherical bearings offer exceptional durability and are capable of sustaining higher vertical loads than pot bearings, making them the preferred choice for structures subject to large rotational demands.
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Bridgent guide bearings and restraint bearings are deployed where large horizontal forces must be transferred. They are typically combined with free-sliding bearings to provide a complete structural bearing system capable of managing complex load combinations.
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Bridgent linear rocker bearings deliver an economical and durable bearing solution for steel structures. The maximum vertical load capacity is determined by the bearing's physical dimensions. Rotation is accommodated in a single axis only, making this type ideal for simply supported steel bridge spans.
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Bridgent offers a range of supplementary options to complement its core bearing portfolio, addressing specific structural or environmental requirements, minimising space envelopes, simplifying installation procedures, or enabling future structural health monitoring of the bearing and its host structure.
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