March 9, 2026
Bridge bearings are among the most critical — and most frequently overlooked — components in any bridge structure. Positioned at the interface between the superstructure and the substructure, they perform three essential functions: transferring vertical loads from the deck to the piers and abutments, accommodating the movements that arise from temperature change, creep, shrinkage, and live loading, and providing the rotational freedom needed to prevent the build-up of secondary stresses. When bearings perform correctly, they are invisible to the bridge user. When they fail, the consequences can range from costly emergency maintenance to catastrophic structural collapse.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of bridge bearing technology — from the fundamental principles of bearing behaviour to the practical details of selection, installation, inspection, and replacement.
Bridge bearings being installed on pier caps during the construction of a major highway viaduct. Correct bearing selection, installation, and maintenance are critical to the long-term performance and safety of any bridge structure.
1. Laminated Elastomeric Bearings (LEB) — The most widely used bearing type globally, consisting of alternating layers of rubber and steel plates bonded together. They accommodate movement through shear deformation of the rubber layers and are suitable for vertical loads up to approximately 5,000 kN and movements up to ±50 mm. Their simplicity, low cost, and zero maintenance requirements make them the default choice for the majority of short to medium span highway bridges.
2. Pot Bearings — Pot bearings use a confined rubber disc to accommodate rotation and a PTFE sliding interface to accommodate horizontal movement. Available in fixed, free-sliding, and guided configurations, they can carry vertical loads from a few hundred kN to over 100,000 kN. They are the standard choice for long-span bridges, railway structures, and any application where high loads or large movements exceed the capability of elastomeric bearings.
3. Spherical Bearings — Spherical bearings use a curved stainless steel/PTFE sliding interface to provide multi-directional rotation capacity combined with high load capacity. They are the preferred choice for complex bridge geometries — skewed, curved, cable-stayed — where conventional bearings cannot provide the required rotational freedom.
4. High Damping Rubber Bearings (HDRB) — HDRB are seismic isolation devices constructed from specially formulated high-damping rubber. They provide both the flexibility needed to lengthen the structural period (reducing seismic forces) and the energy dissipation needed to limit displacements. They are used in earthquake-prone regions worldwide.
5. Lead Rubber Bearings (LRB) — LRB are seismic isolation devices similar to HDRB but incorporating a central lead core that provides additional energy dissipation through plastic deformation. They offer higher damping (20–30%) than HDRB and are preferred for high-seismicity applications.
| Bearing Type | Max Vertical Load | Max Movement | Max Rotation | Seismic? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elastomeric (LEB) | ~5,000 kN | ±50 mm | 0.02 rad | No |
| Pot Bearing | >100,000 kN | ±500 mm | 0.025 rad | No |
| Spherical Bearing | >100,000 kN | ±500 mm | 0.05 rad | No |
| HDRB | ~20,000 kN | ±400 mm | 0.02 rad | Yes |
| LRB | ~20,000 kN | ±400 mm | 0.02 rad | Yes |
The five major bridge bearing types supplied by Bridgent. From left to right: laminated elastomeric bearing, fixed pot bearing, free-sliding pot bearing with PTFE, High Damping Rubber Bearing (HDRB) for seismic isolation, and spherical bearing for complex structures.
Correct installation is as important as correct specification. Bearing seating preparation: The concrete bearing shelf must be level to within ±1 mm over the bearing plan area. Mortar bedding (typically epoxy mortar) is used to achieve the required surface tolerance. Bearing orientation: Guided and fixed bearings must be installed in the correct orientation relative to the bridge axis. Misalignment will result in unintended restraint forces and premature bearing failure. Anchor bolts: Must be installed to the correct embedment depth and torqued to the specified value. Pre-set: For bearings installed in cold weather, a thermal pre-set is required to ensure the bearing remains within its movement range throughout the temperature cycle.
Bridge bearings should be inspected at regular intervals — typically every 2–5 years for routine visual inspection and every 10–15 years for detailed inspection. Key items to check include: for elastomeric bearings — surface cracking, delamination, excessive bulging, displacement beyond design limits; for pot bearings — PTFE wear, dust seal condition, corrosion of steel components, evidence of water ingress; for spherical bearings — PTFE condition, stainless steel surface condition, evidence of contamination.
When bearings reach the end of their service life or are damaged, replacement using synchronous hydraulic jacking is the standard procedure.
Bridgent supplies the complete range of bridge bearings — elastomeric, pot, spherical, HDRB, and LRB — manufactured to EN 1337, AASHTO, and project-specific standards. We also supply hydraulic jacking equipment for bearing replacement and provide technical support from design through to installation and post-installation inspection. Our products have been used on bridge projects in over 30 countries.
Bridgent is your one-stop source for all bridge bearing types, with full engineering support from specification to installation.
Tags: Bridge Engineering Bridge Bearings Bridge Construction Bridge Maintenance Bridgent Products
Westcoast New Area, Qingdao City ,Shandong Province ,China
