Laminated Elastomeric Bearings, also known as steel reinforced elastomeric bearing pads, are fundamental structural elements engineered to support and protect bridges and other structures. These high-performance bearings are manufactured through a process of vulcanization, which bonds alternating layers of high-quality elastomer (such as natural rubber) and internal steel plates (shims) into a single, integral unit. This robust construction combines high vertical stiffness with beneficial horizontal flexibility, making them a superior and versatile solution for a wide range of applications.
Our laminated bearings are designed to deliver unparalleled performance and reliability through several key features:
High Load-Bearing Capacity: The internal steel reinforcement provides exceptional vertical rigidity, enabling the bearing to reliably transfer concentrated dead loads, live loads, and impact forces from the superstructure to the substructure (piers and abutments).
Accommodates Movement: They excel in accommodating structural movements. Their inherent elasticity allows them to adapt to beam-end rotations, while their excellent shear deformation capacity effortlessly handles horizontal displacements caused by thermal expansion, contraction, and other forces.
Vibration Reduction: The elastomeric layers effectively dampen vibrations and reduce noise transmission from traffic and environmental factors, contributing to the longevity of the entire structure.
Durability with Minimal Maintenance: As a seamless, vulcanized unit with no moving parts, they are inherently durable and require virtually no maintenance, offering a low lifecycle cost. The steel plates are fully encapsulated, providing excellent corrosion protection.
The unique combination of strength and flexibility makes laminated elastomeric bearings the ideal choice for numerous bridge types, including:
Steel Bridges (Steel Bridge)
Prestressed Concrete (PC) Bridges
Reinforced Concrete (RC) Bridges
Complex geometries such as Right, Curved, and Skewed Bridges
Elastomeric vs. Laminated: Understanding the Difference
It's crucial to distinguish between plain elastomeric pads and laminated (reinforced) bearings. Plain pads are simple blocks of rubber without steel reinforcement and lack the load capacity and performance characteristics required for bridge applications. In contrast, our laminated elastomeric bearings are the engineered, high-capacity solution designed specifically for the demanding needs of modern infrastructure.
Table 1: Standard material physical properties
Material | IRHD | Hardness | Tensile Strength | Elongation at Break | Compression Set |
Shore A | min. psi | min. | max. | ||
Nature rubber | 50 | 45-55 | 2500 | 450% | 25% |
60 | 55-65 | 2500 | 400% | 25% | |
70 | 65-75 | 2500 | 350% | 25% | |
Neoprene | 50 | 45-55 | 2250 | 400% | 35% |
60 | 55-65 | 2250 | 350% | 5% | |
70 | 65-75 | 2250 | 300% | 5% |
An elastomeric bearing with horizontal reinforcement layers made of construction steel which prevents the spreading of the elastomer under vertical loading, meanwhile, allowing horizontal displacements and angular rotations.
Steel and elastomer are combined in a vulcanization process, and have shear and pressure resistant.
Elastomeric bearing, also known as block bearings or rubber pads, are especially suitable for small and medium loading, displacement and rotation.
LBP-02: Load distribution and movement accommodation of laminated elastomeric pad.
As laminated rubber bridge bearing has so many kinds including standard and customized types. They can be chosen according to different classification
According to the using condition
Normal temperature laminated rubber bearing. It is made of Chloroprene rubber (CR), which is suitable for the -25 °C to +60 °C temperature applications.
Cold resistant laminated rubber bearing. It is made of natural rubber (NR), which can perform well in -40 °C to +60 °C.
According to the structure
Round shape laminated rubber bearing.
Rectangular shape laminated rubber bearing.
According to sliding type
Fixed type. It refers to the standard laminated rubber bearing without sliding performance.
Sliding type. The top surface are designed with Teflon (PTFE) board for sliding.
Type A: Laminated bearing fully covered with elastomer comprising only one steel reinforcing plate.
Type B: Laminated bearing fully covers with elastomer comprising at least two steel reinforcing plates.
Type C: Laminated bearing with outer steel plates (profiled or allowing fixed)
Type D: Type B with PTFE sheet bonded to the elastomer.
Type E: Type C with one outer plate bonded to the elastomer and PTFE sheet recessed in the steel.
Elastomeric bearing described in this document conform with the European standard EN 1337-3 and has successfully passed all tests required for CE certification was awarded by KIT MPA GERMANY;
In addition to CE standard, We also design and fabricate as per other standards and specifications, as follow:
-American Standard: AASHTO M251-06(2011) Plain and laminated elastomeric bridge bearings;
-British standard: BS 5400-9.1, BS 5400-9.2;
-Australian standard: AS5100 part 4, section 12.
· The elastomer used in the manufacturing of the elastomeric bearing should be specified in the project documentation as either natural rubber (NR) or chloroprene rubber (CR) as the raw polymer. Blending with up to 5% of another polymer, which may be added to aid processing, is permitted.
· No reclaimed or ground vulcanized rubber shall be used.
●A combination, with an NR core and CR external the individual advantage of both materials the higher chemical resistance of CR, and the higher mechanical resistance/better deformation properties of NR.
Physical and mechanical properties of elastomer
Characteristics | Requirements | Test Methods | |||
G Modulus (MPa) | 0.7 | 0.9a | 1.15 | ISO | Equivalent national standard |
Tensile Strength (MPa) Molded Test Piece Test Piece from Bearing Minimum elongation at break(%) Molded Test Piece Test Piece from Bearing |
≥16 ≥14
450 400 |
≥16 ≥14
425 375 |
≥16 ≥14
300 250 | ISO 37 type2 | GB/T 528-1998(Type 2) |
Minimum Tear Resistance(KN/m) CR NR |
≥7 ≥5 |
≥10 ≥8 |
≥12 ≥10 | ISO 34-1 Trouser （Method A） | GB/T 529-1999 （Pants type） |
Compression Set(%) 24h; 72℃ |
CR ≤15 NR≤30 | ISO 815 φ29×12.5mm, Spacer: 9.38mm,-25% | GB/T 7759-1996 | ||
Accelerated Ageing (Maximum change from unaged value) -Hardness(IRHD) NR 7 d , 70℃ CR 3 d, 100℃ -Tensile strength(%) NR 7 d , 70℃ CR 3 d, 100℃ -Elongation at break(%) NR 7d , 70℃ CR 3d, 100℃ |
-5+10 ±5
±15 ±15
±25 ±25 | ISO 48 ISO 188 | GB/T 6031-1998 GB/T 3512-2001 | ||
Ozone Resistance Elongation: 30% – 96h 40℃±2℃ NR 25pphm CR 100pphm | No cracks | ISO 1431-1 | GB/T 7762-2003 | ||
Steel reinforcing plates
· inner plates
· The inner reinforcing plated is steel grate S235 or A36 ( equal to Q235 ), the minimum thickness is at least 2mm.
Outer plates: (for types C).
· The Outer reinforcing plates shall be grade S 235.For elastomeric bearing type C with internal layers less than or equal to 8 mm thick, the minimum thickness of the outer plates shall be 15mm.
For thicker layers, the minimum thickness of the outer plates shall be 18 mm.
Top sliding surface of bearings-PTFE
Thickness of PTFE sheet: 1.5mm <tp < 2.5mm
Thickness of elastomer under the PTFE : Max: 3mm, Min: 0.5mm（at any point）
• Standard Laminated Bearings are ideal for bridges with spans up to 30 meters and requiring limited displacement capacity.
• Rectangular Laminated Bearings are the standard choice for right bridges and straightforward applications.
• Round/Circular Laminated Bearings are designed for curved bridges, skew bridges, and structures with column piers, accommodating multi-directional movement.
Our High Damping Rubber Bearings (HDRB) provide reliable seismic protection for bridges and buildings. Laminated high-damping rubber with steel shims transforms earthquake vibrations into slow, controlled movements, reducing structural damage. HDRBs combine strong vertical support, horizontal flexibility, and self-centering ability for long-term stability.
A Lead Rubber Bearing (LRB), also known as a lead-core rubber bearing, is a premium base isolation device engineered to protect bridges and buildings from earthquakes. Its robust construction features a central, cylindrical lead core press-fitted within a laminated stack of elastomeric rubber layers and reinforcing steel plates, all vulcanized into a single, high-performance unit. The lead core delivers exceptional energy dissipation through hysteretic damping, achieving an equivalent viscous damping ratio of up to 30%, while the rubber and steel layers provide flexible support, lengthening the structure's natural period to reduce seismic force impact. This synergy offers superior vertical load capacity, horizontal flexibility, and outstanding corrosion resistance. Available in round and rectangular shapes with single or multiple lead core options, our LRBs are custom-engineered to meet specific project demands for ultimate resilience and safety.
Pot bearings are critical load-bearing and shock-absorption devices widely used in highway bridges, railway bridges, municipal viaducts, and large-scale building structures. They transfer the load from the superstructure by confining an elastomeric pad within a steel pot, while utilizing the low-friction characteristics of PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) plates sliding against stainless steel surfaces to accommodate smooth translational movements. Renowned for their high load capacity, significant horizontal displacement capability, and flexible rotation, pot bearings are indispensable key components in modern long-span bridge engineering.
We supplies premium spherical bridge bearings designed for large loads & rotations. Compliant with EN 1337-7 & AASHTO. Ideal for bridges & complex structures.
Modern structures, from monumental bridges to complex buildings, are designed to be flexible. They must safely accommodate movements and rotations caused by thermal expansion, traffic loads, and wind. Spherical Bearings are engineered to support these structures while safely transferring loads and allowing for controlled movement, ensuring long-term structural integrity and safety.
Westcoast New Area, Qingdao City ,Shandong Province ,China
