Inspection, condition evaluation and replacement of elastomeric bearings in road bridges

This paper presents the results of an inspection campaign as well as condition evaluation and replacement of more than 1000 elastomeric bridge bearings under service on the Isfahan state highway bridges constructed before 1990. It is the first comprehensive survey of this kind. The research was accomplished through inspection surveys, analysis of existing bridge maintenance data, condition evaluation and replacement of a significant portion of the inspected bearings and expert interviews. Inspection surveys and analysis of extracted data identified the problems and their causes and the merits and potential improvement of performance of each one of the inspected elastomeric bearings. Replacement of the damaged bearings with new ones was performed based on the results of this stage. The expert interviews investigated the practices of Isfahan and surrounding states regarding the selection of bearing manufacturers, the performance and the quality control of elastomeric bearings.

[1]  Shahrokh Maalek,et al.  Evaluation of the Shear Modulus of Elastomeric Bridge Bearings Using Modal Data , 2009 .

[2]  Hieu Nguyen,et al.  Directional Effects of Shear Combined with Compression on Bridge Elastomeric Bearings , 2010 .

[3]  Bryan E. Little,et al.  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Highway Drainage Guidelines American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. LRFD Bridge Design Specifications , 2000 .

[4]  Hani Nassif,et al.  Evaluation of Laminated Circular Elastomeric Bearings , 2007 .

[5]  Cem Topkaya,et al.  TEST METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE SHEAR MODULUS OF ELASTOMERIC BEARINGS , 2002 .

[6]  Ahmet Yakut,et al.  Parameters Influencing Performance of Elastomeric Bearings at Low Temperatures , 2002 .

[7]  Luh-Maan Chang,et al.  EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE OF BRIDGE DECK EXPANSION JOINTS , 2002 .

[8]  Saeed Ziaei-Rad,et al.  The effects of the repair operations and replacement of the elastomeric bearings on the modal characteristics of a highway bridge , 2010 .

[9]  John L. Tassoulas,et al.  BEHAVIOR OF ELASTOMERIC BRIDGE BEARINGS: COMPUTATIONAL RESULTS , 1998 .

[10]  Jorge de Brito,et al.  Management system for expansion joints of road bridges , 2010 .

[11]  V K Raina.  Concrete Bridges: Inspection, Repair, Strengthening, Testing and Load Capacity Evaluation , 1996 .

[12]  John F. Stanton,et al.  Stability of Laminated Elastomeric Bearings , 1990 .

[13]  Jorge de Brito,et al.  Inspection survey of 150 expansion joints in road bridges , 2009 .

[14]  James M. Kelly,et al.  Influence of Material Stiffening on Stability of Elastomeric Bearings at Large Displacements , 1998 .

[15]  Ahmet Yakut,et al.  Evaluation of Elastomeric Bearing Performance at Low Temperatures , 2002 .

[16]  Joseph A. Yura,et al.  ELASTOMERIC BRIDGE BEARINGS: RECOMMENDED TEST METHODS , 2001 .