Spherical Bearings
Spherical bearing is one type of bridge bearings with large rotation capacity. Similar with pot bearing, spherical bearing also can be divided into three types: fixed spherical bearing, guided spherical bearing and free sliding spherical bearing. With high strengthened steel body, spherical bearing is especially designed for high vertical, horizontal and lateral loads and where large rotational structural displacements need to be accommodated.
Working principle of spherical bearing
Spherical bearing is formed by top steel plate, stainless steel slide, UHMWPE slide, convex plate, curved UHMWPE and concave plate. The sliding of convex plate and concave plate can accommodate the structural rotations of the beam end. The stainless-steel slide and UHMWPE slide can further reduce friction coefficient; thus, displacement of expansion and contraction can be accommodated. While, depending on whether the spherical bearing is fixed, guided or free sliding, the vertical loads, horizontal forces, longitudinal movements or transverse movements can be accommodated. What’s more, the guided bar and the restraining ring also can transmit the horizontal forces. Thus, spherical bearings are especially suitable for more complex bridges.