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The Defined-Rotation Bearing for Long-Span Bridges & Heavy Piers
Engineered to handle extreme vertical loads from 1,000 kN to over 200,000+ kN, our pot bearings provide a precisely controlled, fixed rotational center through a confined elastomeric disc. This robust, low-maintenance design ensures decades of reliable service. Custom-engineered for your project to fully comply with AASHTO, EN, BS, AS, and IRC standards.
Our pot bearing series is designed to provide a robust, predictable, and long-lasting solution for structures requiring extreme vertical load capacity combined with controlled rotational and translational movements. The core principle—a confined elastomeric disc within a precision-engineered steel pot—ensures reliable, maintenance-free performance.
Extreme Vertical Load Capacity: Engineered to carry loads from 1,000 kN to over 200,000 kN, making them ideal for the main piers of long-span bridges, transfer girders, and heavy industrial supports.
Defined Rotational Performance: The pot mechanism provides a fixed, single-axis rotation with a precisely calculable center. Rotational capacity is clearly defined and tested according to project specifications and standards (e.g., up to 0.03 rad or as required).
Accommodation of Large Movements: Equipped with engineered sliding surfaces (such as PTFE, UHMWPE, or composite materials against polished stainless steel), our pot bearings can accommodate significant horizontal displacements (typically up to ±1000mm or more) to handle thermal expansion, creep, and seismic movements. Material selection is optimized for low friction, high wear resistance, and specific load conditions.
Durability & Low Maintenance: The sealed design protects the elastomeric disc from environmental degradation. High-grade steel and specialized surface treatments provide excellent corrosion resistance for long service life with minimal upkeep.
Global Standard Compliance: Our bearings are designed, calculated, and tested to meet all major international codes, including AASHTO (USA), EN 1337-5 (EU), BS 5400 (UK), AS 5100 (Australia), and IRC 83 (India).
Full Custom Engineering: We offer complete customization beyond standard sizes. This includes tailoring the pot dimensions, elastomeric compound properties, sliding material selection, stainless steel sliding plates, connector detailing (bolt patterns, shear keys), and anti-corrosion coatings to your exact project requirements.
Long-Span Bridges: Cable-stayed bridges, arch bridges, and large continuous girder bridges.
Heavy-Load Points: Bridge piers subject to immense vertical reactions, transfer girders in buildings, and supports for heavy industrial equipment.
Structures Requiring Predictable Movement: Bridges and structures where defined rotational behavior and large horizontal displacement capacity are critical design parameters.
Identify the right pot bearing solution for your megastructure.
[Download the General Product Guide] or [Contact our engineering team] for a project-specific review.
| Parameter Category | Parameter | Specification & Details |
| LOAD CAPACITY | ||
| Vertical Load Range | 1,000 kN – 200,000+ kN Capacity varies with bearing size and design. Custom designs can exceed 200,000 kN. | |
| Horizontal Load Capacity | 10-80% of vertical load capacity Depends on bearing type (guided vs. unguided) and sliding surface friction coefficient. | |
| MOVEMENT CAPABILITY | ||
| Maximum Rotation | Up to 0.03 radians (≈1.7°) Fixed rotational center. Rotation capacity is precisely defined and verified by testing. | |
| Horizontal Displacement Range | Guided Sliding: Up to ±1000 mm Unguided/Multi-Directional: Up to ±1000 mm Actual displacement depends on bearing design and project requirements. | |
| Friction Coefficient (µ) | 0.5% - 7% Varies with contact pressure, sliding material combination (PTFE/stainless steel, UHMWPE/stainless steel, UHPF/stainless steel, etc.), and lubrication. | |
| MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS | ||
| Steel Components | Pot, Piston, Base Plate: Structural steel grades (Q345B, ASTM A572, EN 10025 S355) Machining Tolerance: High precision machining for flatness and surface finish | |
| Elastomeric Disc | Material: High-durability Natural Rubber (NR) or Chloroprene (CR) compound Properties: Formulated for high pressure resistance, low compression set, and aging resistance Confined Design: Sealed within steel pot to prevent extrusion and environmental degradation | |
| Sliding Surface System | Low-Friction Liner: PTFE, UHMWPE, or engineered composite materials Sliding Plate: Polished Stainless Steel (304/316) or specially treated alloy Design: Optimized for low friction, high wear resistance, and specific load conditions | |
| Corrosion Protection | Standard: Epoxy paint system Enhanced: Hot-dip galvanizing Specialized: Custom coating systems for aggressive environments | |
| PERFORMANCE & DURABILITY | ||
| Design Service Life | Engineered to match structure design life (typically 50-100 years) Sealed pot design minimizes maintenance requirements and protects elastomeric disc. | |
| Operating Temperature Range | Standard: -25°C to +60°C Extended Range: -40°C to +70°C (with special compounds) | |
| Maintenance Requirements | Minimal to none Sealed design eliminates need for regular maintenance. Periodic visual inspection recommended. | |
| STANDARDS & COMPLIANCE | ||
| Design Standards | AASHTO LRFD (USA) EN 1337-5 (Europe) BS 5400 (UK) AS 5100.4 (Australia) IRC 83 (India) Other national standards accommodated upon request. | |
| Testing & Certification | Type Tests: Per relevant standards (load, rotation, displacement) Factory Production Control (FPC): Ongoing quality verification CE Marking: Available for EN 1337-5 compliance Third-Party Inspection: Supported and facilitated | |
| Customization Capability | Full custom engineering available All parameters customizable: dimensions, load ratings, rotation limits, sliding materials, connector details (bolt patterns, shear keys), and anti-corrosion coatings. | |
We deliver pot bearings that combine definitive engineering performance with complete project-ready support, providing unmatched reliability and value.
Extreme Load Capacity & Distribution: Supports 1,000 to over 200,000 kN, reliably bearing immense loads while distributing them evenly to minimize structural stress.
Controlled Movement Accommodation: Precisely accommodates horizontal displacement (±600mm) and defined rotation to handle thermal expansion, creep, and settlement.
Durable, Maintenance-Free Operation: The sealed, pressure-confined elastomeric disc and robust construction ensure long-term performance with minimal lifecycle cost.
Independently Verified Performance: Backed by accredited third-party test reports and CE Marking (EN 1337-5), with compliance for AASHTO, AS, IRC and other global standards.
Complete Technical Dossier: Includes a detailed Project Calculation Report for engineering approval and validation.
Streamlined Logistics Support: We provide a full suite of export and technical documents (commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates, manuals), simplifying customs clearance and project administration.
Total Design Flexibility: Fully customizable for load, dimensions, rotation limits, sliding materials (PTFE/UHMWPE), and connections to meet exact specifications.
Secure Global Delivery: Each unit is shipped in robust, export-ready wooden crating, ensuring secure arrival worldwide.
For Distributors: A high-margin, technically certified product with reliable 15-35 day lead times and full sales support.
For Engineers: Guaranteed performance, risk-mitigated compliance, and seamless integration, ensuring project safety and schedule certainty.
Engineered for Certainty. Delivered with Complete Support.
The installation of pot bearings varies significantly depending on the type of superstructure they support. Our guidance is tailored to ensure correct and efficient installation for each specific application, maximizing performance and longevity.
All our pot bearing designs accommodate typical on-site variations with a positional adjustment tolerance of ±5 to ±10 mm. This built-in flexibility helps mitigate minor construction deviations without compromising performance.
Installation for Cast-in-Place Concrete Beams/Girders
This method involves securing the bearing before the concrete pour, integrating it into the monolithic structure.
After constructing the substructure (pier/abutment cap), precisely position and temporarily fix the pot bearing onto it using the embedded anchor bolts or a temporary frame.
Ensure perfect leveling and alignment per shop drawings before proceeding.
Erect the beam soffit formwork around the bearing. The bearing's top plate often acts as part of the formwork.
Carefully place the reinforcement cage, ensuring it clears the bearing's top connector plates or shear keys.
Pour concrete, taking care not to displace the bearing. Vibrate concrete thoroughly around the bearing to ensure full encapsulation and no voids.
Allow the concrete to cure properly. The bearing becomes permanently encased and fixed upon curing.
Key Consideration: The bearing must be impeccably positioned and locked before the pour, as adjustments afterward are impossible.
Installation for Precast Concrete Beams/Girders
Here, the bearing is installed on the substructure, and the precast element is then lowered onto it.
On the completed substructure, position the pot bearing. For fixed types, grout the base plate cavity with high-strength non-shrink grout.
For sliding types, prepare and align the stainless steel sliding plate.
The precast beam, with pre-prepared mating surfaces (e.g., grout pockets or sole plates), is lifted and carefully lowered onto the bearing.
Use the built-in tolerance to make final horizontal adjustments for perfect alignment with other beams.
For grouted connections, fill the interface between the beam and the bearing's top plate with high-strength grout.
For bolted connections, insert and torque the connecting bolts.
Key Consideration: Coordination between bearing installation height and the precast beam's underside elevation is critical.
Installation for Steel Beams/Girders
This typically involves direct bolted connections, offering high precision and adjustability.
Fix the pot bearing to the concrete substructure via anchor bolts grouted into the cap or using a base plate leveled with shim packs and grouted.
The steel beam, with pre-drilled holes in its bottom flange or attached sole plate, is lowered onto the bearing.
Temporary bolts or pins are used to hold it in place while final alignment checks are made.
Insert high-strength friction-grip bolts through the mating holes in the beam and the bearing's top plate.
Tighten all bolts to the specified pre-tension (torque) in the correct sequence to ensure a rigid, slip-critical connection.
Key Consideration: Strict adherence to bolt tightening procedures is essential to achieve the required clamping force and connection stiffness.
Universal Final Verification (All Types)
Regardless of the superstructure type, a final check is mandatory:
Verify final position, level, and alignment.
Confirm unobstructed movement capability for sliding/guided types.
Ensure all bolts are torqued or all grout has cured.
Your Technical Support Package
Structure-Specific Installation Drawings: Detailed plans for your exact beam type and bearing model.
Comprehensive Method Statements: Step-by-step guides tailored to cast-in-place, precast, or steel construction.
Real-Time Technical Support: Direct access to our engineers for clarification during critical installation phases.
Download the specific guide for your project type or contact us for tailored drawings.
From a structural perspective: Pot bearings utilize a pot-shaped sealing structure, making them more suitable for long-term stability requirements under complex working conditions; while disc bearings primarily use a disc-shaped structure, focusing on lightweight installation scenarios.
In terms of load-bearing capacity: Pot bearings are suitable for high-load scenarios and can meet the heavy-load requirements of large-span bridges; disc bearings are more suitable for medium-to-low load scenarios and are mostly used in small and medium-span structures.
Regarding rotational angle capability: Pot bearings support larger rotational angles, making them suitable for bridge types with large beam deformations; the rotational angle range of disc bearings is relatively limited, making them more suitable for conventional deformation scenarios.
In terms of applicable bridge types: Pot bearings are commonly used in large-span highway bridges, railway bridges, and urban elevated bridges; disc bearings are mostly used in small and medium-span municipal bridges, pedestrian bridges, and other lightweight structures.
In terms of customization flexibility: Pot bearings support full-dimensional structural and parameter customization, allowing them to match specific project requirements; the customization dimensions of disc bearings are relatively concentrated on basic specification adjustments.
Ideal for highway overpasses and interchange bridges with moderate spans and loads.
Suitable for railway viaducts requiring vibration isolation and load distribution.
Perfect for elevated roads and urban transit systems in city environments.
Cost-effective solution for footbridges and light-duty crossing structures.
Complete specifications and dimensions
PDF • 2.4 MBStep-by-step installation instructions
PDF • 3.1 MBAutoCAD DWG files for design integration
DWG • 1.8 MBQuality and performance test reports
PDF • 1.5 MBExplore more bridge bearing solutions
Engineered to handle extreme vertical loads from 1,000 kN to over 200,000+ kN, our pot bearings provide a precisely controlled, fixed rotational center through a confined elastomeric disc. This robust, low-maintenance design ensures decades of reliable service. Custom-engineered for your project to fully comply with AASHTO, EN, BS, AS, and IRC standards.
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Engineered to handle extreme vertical loads from 1,000 kN to over 200,000+ kN, our pot bearings provide a precisely controlled, fixed rotational center through a confined elastomeric disc. This robust, low-maintenance design ensures decades of reliable service. Custom-engineered for your project to fully comply with AASHTO, EN, BS, AS, and IRC standards.
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