CONTENTS

1.

General

page 3

2.

Specifications and design

parameters

page 4

3.

Information required for design

of POT bearings
page 5

4.

Dimensions data sheets

- POT bearing type PU

page 6

- POT bearing type PL

page 7

- POT bearing type PF

page 8

5.

Accessories

page 9

6.

Site installation

page 10

7.

POT bearings for incrementally

launched bridges

page 11

8.

Special POT bearings

page 12

9.

Recent bridge structures

page 13

10.

Quality control and tests

page 15

1. General
- Polished stainless steel (mirror finishing) welded
to the bottom side of the rectangular sliding plate.
- Circular dimpled PTFE disc recessed to half of its
thickness in the piston. Minimum protrusion is given
to grant full contact with stainless steel at any time.
PTFE displays excellent resistance to fatigue, impact
and ageing.
- Special lubricant grease: silicone base. This grease
fills the dimples in the PTFE disc ensuring a permanent
very low friction system coefficient and preventing
abrasion of PTFE.
The combination of these three materials gives a regular
range of friction coefficient between 1% and 3%.
Type PU (guided sliding) is obtained by assembling a
guide bar, either welded or bolted, on top of the piston.
The guide bar slides along a longitudinal recess in the
sliding plate, thus avoiding transverse movement.
Contact between guide bar and sliding plate consists of
special composite material (DU-metal) fixed to the guide
bar and stainless steel backed to the sliding plate,
ensuring a minimum friction coefficient.

Neoprene bearing

Structural bearings are required to connect different parts

of a structure such as bridge decks to piers and
abutments. The most widely-used structural bearings
are plain or reinforced elastomeric bearings, and POT
bearings. They are capable of transmitting forces while
absorbing the structures deformations and rotations.
The strength of reinforced elastomeric bearings is limited
by the shear properties of the elastomeric block,
especially when the three stresses, compression, shear
and bending, occur at the same time. POT bearings
maximise the shear strength of the bearings elastomer
by encasing it in a steel cylinder. They can accept working
loads in the elastomer, which, in turn, allows the
bearings dimensions to be reduced.

ILM bridge pot bearing type

POT bearings are divided into three main types,

depending on restrictions to the structures
deformations: type PF (fixed), type PL (free or unguided
sliding), and type PU (guided sliding).
In all types, under vertical load, the upper plate acts on
the elastomer like a piston on a hydraulic cylinder, and
the elastomer itself, perfectly sealed, behaves like a
viscous fluid, offering minimal resistance to rotation
around any horizontal axis. No sliding movement is
allowed in type PF (fixed).
Type PL (free sliding) is obtained by dividing the upper
plate into two independent elements: rectangular sliding
plate and circular piston. The sliding ability is achieved
by combining the following three materials into the
sliding system:

2. Specifications and design parameters

MATERIALS
STANDARD SPEClFlCATlONS

BASIC DESIGN PARAMETERS

TOP PLATE

UPPER PLATE

Quality steel St37 or

St52 according to
DIN 17.100
Stainless steel
according to AISI 304

Load distribution at 60
The length of the upper plate must
grant a proper load distribution in the
concrete in the event of max. design
movement
L5 = D6 + 2 Ex + 2T5/ 3+50

LUBRICANT
Silicone grease type 300

Where :
D6 diameter of PTFE disc
Ex Max. design movement
T5 Thickness of upper plate
P.T.F.E.

P.T.F.E.
P.T.F.E. pad with dimples according
ASTM D1457-91 a Type 1
Grade 2
BS 3764 Grade A
GUIDE
Quality steel St37 or
St52 according to
DIN 17.100
DU-metal
EXTERNAL SEALING
RING

Average allowable stress at SLS under

max. vertical load <45 N/mm2
Allowable stress at SLS in the
edges < 60 N/mm2
ELASTOMER
Average allowable stress at SLS under
max. vertical load < 40 N/mm2
Vertical strain on the perimeter
<0,15
a* (D/) <H1*0.15

Minimum thickness of the elastomer

Spongy neoprene

H1>D1/30

PISTON
Quality steel St37 or
St52 according to
DIN 17.100
INTERNAL SEALING
RING
Double gasket brass ring
ELASTOMER PAD
Natural rubber according
AASHTO 50Sh+-5
POT (STEEL RING +
BASE PLATE)
Quality steel St37 or
St52 according to
DIN 17.100

Where :
a : Design rotation
D1 : Diameter of the elastomer
POT ( RING+BASE PLATE )
Ring and base plate must bear the
horizontal loads due to the elastomer
strain and to external actions:
Zr+Zh < b Zr+Zh < b
Ap
Ar

where :
Load due to the elastomer strain
Zr = D1*H1 *bn

bn being the stress in the elastomer

Load due to external actions :
Zh= Hx2+Hy2

Base plate lateral area Ap = D1*T1

Ring lateral area Aa = 2*(D2-D1)*TR
TR being the height of the ring.
Minimum thickness of the ring
D2-D1> 2Omm

ANCHOR SOCKETS
Galvanized bolts
Steel CK35 according
DIN 17.200

Minimum thickness of the baseplate

T1>D1/50>12mm

DOWELS -STUDS
In order to grant a safety factor not
less than 1,5 against sliding, the
following condition must be verified::
/S*Vmin+n*Hd>Zh
where :
= 0.5 Steel-concrete friction coefficient
S = 1.5 Safety factor
n
Number of dowels ( or studs)
Hd
Shear capacity of each dowel

3. Information required for the design of POT bearings

Dimensions given in the section 4 tables are indicative,
representing a presizing of the three different types of POT
bearings. They are given to make the design engineers
work easier and should be used with caution, bearing in
mind that they are calculated from the following assumed
design parameters:
Allowable concrete pressure
Pier : 20 N/mm 2
Deck : 20 N/mm2
Rotation = 0.01 rad.
Loads and movements
1.- Free sliding
type PL
1.1 Hxmax=
3 % of Vmax.
1.2 Hymax =
3% of Vmax.
1.3 Ey=
+- 10mm.
1.4 Ex=
* 50mm.
2.- Guided sliding type PU
2.1 Hxmax=
3 % of Vmax
2.2 Hymax =
5% of Vmax
2.3 Ey=
0 always
2.4 Ex=
+- 50mm.
3.- Fixed
type PF
3.1 Hxmax =
5% of Vmax
3.2 Hymax =
5% of Vmax
3.3 Ey=
0 always
3.4 Ex=
0 always
4.- For every type
4.1 Vg =
70% Vmax
4.2 Vmin =
50% Vmax
4.3 Hxg =
90% Hxmax
4.4 Hyg =
90% Hymax
4.5 Hxmin =
70% Hxmax
4.6 Hymin =
70% Hymin
Our Technical Department is at your disposal to supply any
specific information in order to assist you from the early
design stage. To assess the optimum POT bearing
dimensions for your application and to carry out a detailed
design, we need the following information:

Project:

It should be pointed out that the cost of the POT bearings

varies with the changes in design parameters. For
instance the allowable bearing pressure on the concrete,
has a major influence. It depends on the characteristic
concrete strength, Br and the relation between the
diameters of direct circular loaded area (D2) and circular
enlarged area, with the same centre of gravity, lying totally
within the top support area (D) (see figure). The following
design rules are proposed for the allowable bearing
pressure on concrete :

1 .- For direct distribution from the pot to the concrete:

b= Br * D < 1,4*Br
1,8 D2
2.- For distribution plates through masonry plates
between pot and concrete:
b= Br * D < 1,0*Br
2,1 D2
3.- For distribution through sliding plates:
b= Br * D < 0,9*Br
2,3 D2
Bursting reinforcement to be designed in SLS for a total
force of:

with the allowable stress in reinforcement between

180 MPa and 200 MPa according to the steel grade.

Bearing type :

Loads:
Load case Vmax.
Vmax: kN
Hx:
kN
Hy:
kN
Load case Vg. ( permanent load)
Vg:
kN
Hxg:
kN
Hyg:
kN
Load case Vmin.
Vmin:
kN
Hx:
kN
Rotation and movement :

Hy:

Ex+-:

Rotation: rad.

mm.

Ey +-:

mm.

kN

AllowablebearIng pressure on concrete :

Pier :

MPa

Deck :

MPa

Technical departement in the factory

4. Dimensions data sheets

POT bearing type PU
DL

This type of bearing :

- Allows longitudinal movements

TH

- Constrains transversal movements

DL

- Bears horizontal transversal loads

BEARING TYPE
PU-100
PU-200
PU-300
PU-400
PU-500
PU-600
PU-700
PU-800
PU-900
PU-1000
PU-1200
PU-1400
PU-1600
PU-1800
PU-2000
PU-2400
PU-2800
PU-3000
PU-3500
PU-4000
PU-4500
PU-5000

TH
80
81
85
84
98
96
102
106
119
115
122
131
198
154
153
161
180
170
192
190
196
216

L5
393
478
538
608
665
719
768
814
857
898
975
1045
1110
1171
1229
1337
1436
1515
1593
1705
1793
1885

B5
293
378
438
508
565
719
768
814
857
898
975
1045
1110
1171
1229
1337
1436
1515
1593
1705
1793
1885

oD2
293
378
438
508
565
619
668
714
757
798
875
945
1010
1071
1129
1237
1336
1415
1493
1605
1693
1785

DP
256
316
360
408
450
501
536
568
599
628
682
732
778
821
862
938
1008
1064
1120
1199
1260
1325

DL
200
200
200
250
250
300
300
300
300
300
350
350
350
350
350
350
350
350
350
350
350
350

DIMENSIONS IN mm
NOTE : The dimensions given in the tables are indicative. Design and dimensions may be modified by CTT without prior notification.

DM
40
40
40
50
50
60
60
60
60
60
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70

POT bearing type PL

This type of bearing :
- Allows longitudinal and transversal movements
- Does not resist any horizontal load (except friction)

BEARING TYPE
PL-100
PL-200
PL-300
PL-400
PL-500
PL-600
PL-700
PL-800
PL-900
PL-1000
PL-1200
PL-1400
PL-1600
PL-1800
PL-2000
PL-2400
PL-2800
PL-3000
PL-3500
PU-4000
PL-4500
PL-5000

TH
74
79
85
96
98
96
110
106
119
115
122
131
136
154
153
161
180
160
172
186
194
216

L5
353
457
538
605
665
719
768
814
857
898
975
1045
1110
1171
1229
1337
1436
1482
1593
1693
1793
1885

B5
273
377
458
525
585
639
688
734
777
818
895
965
1030
1091
1149
1257
1356
1402
1513
1616
1713
1805

oD2
253
357
438
505
565
619
668
714
757
798
875
945
1010
1071
1129
1237
1336
1415
1512
1605
1693
1785

DP
228
302
360
406
450
487
521
554
585
613
668
717
764
806
847
924
994
1050
1118
1184
1246
1311

DL
150
150
200
200
200
250
250
250
250
250
250
250
250
250
250
250
250
250
250
250
250
250

DM
30
30
40
40
40
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50

DIMENSIONS IN mm
NOTE : The dimensions given in the tables are indicative. Design and dimensions may be modified by CTT without prior notification.

POT bearing type PF

This type of bearing :
- Constrains longitudinal and transversal movements
- Bears longitudinal and transversal horizontal loads

BEARING TYPE
PU-100
PU-200
PU-300
PU-400
PU-500
PU-600
PU-700
PU-800
PU-900
PU-1000
PU-1200
PU-1400
PU-1600
PU-1800
PU-2000
PU-2400
PU-2800
PU-3000
PU-3500
PU-4000
PU-4500
PU-5000

TH
80
81
85
84
98
96
102
106
119
115
122
131
198
154
153
161
180
170
192
190
196
216

L5
393
478
538
608
665
719
768
814
857
898
975
1045
1110
1171
1229
1337
1436
1515
1593
1705
1793
1885

B5
293
378
438
508
565
719
768
814
857
898
975
1045
1110
1171
1229
1337
1436
1515
1593
1705
1793
1885

oD2
293
378
438
508
565
619
668
714
757
798
875
945
1010
1071
1129
1237
1336
1415
1493
1605
1693
1785

DP
256
316
360
408
450
501
536
568
599
628
682
732
778
821
862
938
1008
1064
1120
1199
1260
1325

DL
200
200
200
250
250
300
300
300
300
300
350
350
350
350
350
350
350
350
350
350
350
350

DIMENSIONS IN mm
NOTE : The dimensions given in the tables are indicative. Design and dimensions may be modified by CTT without prior notification.

DM
40
40
40
50
50
60
60
60
60
60
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70

5. Accessories

Antidust skirts

ANTIDUST SKIRTS
These devices are installed in order to avoid the dust on the sliding parts of the bearing,
that could affect the friction coeficient.
They are recommended either for both free sliding and guided sliding types. They are
manufactured from neoprene strips bolted to the upper plate of the bearing through a
metallic ruler.

Measurement ruler

RULER MEASURING MOVEMENTS

This device is designed to measure then movements of the bearing, and consequently,
the movements of the deck visually.
A metallic or aluminium ruler is connected to the upper plate and a rod is welded, by
means of a support, to the masonry plate or to the pot.
The projection of the rod on the ruler indicates the movement of the deck.

6. Site Installation

1. PREPARATION OF THE PIERS

2. LEVELLING OFTHE BEARING

Build the piers leaving on them the required

recesses according to the dimensions indicated
on the drawings.

Place the pot bearing in its position levelling it with

timber wedges. It is important to ensure that the X
axis of the bearing is aligned in the longitudinal
direction of the bridge and that the X and Y
directions are accurately horizontal. For bearings
allowing horizontal displacements it should be
checked that the arrow painted on the slide plate
is pointing in the correct direction.

3. GROUTlNG

4. FORMING OF DECK

Install the form for grouting the space between

pier and pot bearing. Grout the space between
pier and pot bearing. Fill in the recesses checking
that the level is the correct.

The formwork of the deck is placed embedding

the upper dowels of the bearing.

10

5. REMOVAL OF FIXING PLATES

Once the formwork has been removed, the
bearing is definitively installed. Remove the lateral
fixing plates of the bearing in order to allow its
free movement.

7. POT bearings for incrementally launched bridges

POT bearing for ILM bridge

POT bearings for incrementally launched bridges have a
dual function. First, they provide low friction sliding surfaces
over piers as the deck is launched during construction.
Thereafter, they become permanent bearings for the
completed bridge. A POT bearing serving both functions is
shown in the picture above.
During construction, a fixing device avoids relative
movement between sliding plate and pot cylinder.

The sliding plate is supplied with a second stainless

steel sheet on top. Inserting neoprene-teflon pads
between deck and bearings allows the launching
operation to be carried out. Pads, second stainless steel
sheet and fixing device are removed after launching. To
achieve this, the deck is lifted by means of hydraulic jacks
placed on top of the piers.
Once this operation is achieved, the deck is lowered to
its final position, the jacks are removed and the sliding
plate is connected to a previously embedded steel plate
in the deck.
Finally, the fixing devices used for transportation are
released, thus the bearing is in its final service position.
For the correct design of these bearings, it is very
important to know the loads during launching, because,
they have major influence in the actual length and
thickness of the sliding plates.
Although the cost of this type of bearing is higher than
the standard ones, their use represents a saving for the
job because :
- Temporary launching bearings are not required
- Demolition and replacement of the temporary bearings
by permanent ones, are costly and time consuming
are avoided.

11

8. Special POT bearings

thus adapting our design to the project requirement.

CTT manufactures special tailor-made POT bearings

designed to fit the technical specifications and requirements
of individual projects.
CTT offers a wide range of technical solutions for the design
of special POT bearings; our technical department has the
capability to develop alternatives to the standard product,

The pictures below show several special bearings

designed for specific jobs.

DOUBLE POT BEARINGS

Bearings with double pot and single upper plate.

They are designed for an ILM bridge. The aim was
to center the loads during launching under the webs
of the concrete deck.
These bearings were installed in the High speed
railway Madrid-Sevilla at Ademuz (Cordoba).

BEARINGS WITH "SPRINGS"

ELIPTIC POT BEARINGS

The pot has an elliptical shape. These bearings were
specially designed for the Aruca-Las Palmas junction
in the Canary islands.

12

These bearings incorporate external springs that

control the relative movements between sliding
plate and pot.
These bearings were installed in the Cartuja
viaduct in Seville (approaches to Alamillo bridge).

9. Recent bridge structures

4TH BRIDGE OVER GUADIANA RIVER
IN BADAJOZ. SPAIN
OWNER:
Junta de Extremadura.
CONTRACTOR:
UTE Puente de Badajoz
DYCSA-FCC
CONSULTANTS:
FCC Construccion. Servicio Tecnico.
D. Jos Ignacio Gonzalez Esteban,
D Jos Luis Alvarez Poyatos

VIADUCT OVER GOR RIVER IN

GRANADA. SPAIN

BEARING TYPE:
PL-1000, PL-500, PU-1000, PU-500

OWNER
Direccion general de carreteras
Junta de Andalucia
CONTRACTOR:
Entrecanales y Tavora
CONSULTANTS:
Direccion general de carreteras

BEARING TYPE:
PL-350, PUE-1150, PLE-1100

BRIDGE OVER VAROSA RIVER

LANCO REGUA-RECONCOS
PORTUGAL
OWNER
JAE
CONTRACTOR:
ENGIL - Soares da Cosat
CONSULTANTS:
Ing. Armando Rito

BEARING TYPE:
PL-380, PU-1550,S PU-1450

13

ACCESS TO ALAMILLO BRIDGE IN

SEVILLE. SPAIN
OWNER:
Junta de Andalucia
CONTRACTOR:
U.T.E. Alamillo
DYCSA-FCC
CONSULTANTS:
FCC

BEARING TYPE:
PL-380, PU-1550, PU-1450

MADRID-SEVILLE HIGH SPEED

TRAININ ADEMUZ (CORDOBA).
SPAIN
OWNER:
M.T.T.C.
CONTRACTOR:
DYCSA
Entrecanales y Tavora, s.a.
COMSA
CONSULTANTS:
EPTISA

LAHORE-ISLAMABAD MTY.
PAKISTAN
OWNER:
National Hghway Authority Pakistan
CONTRACTOR:
DAEWOO Corporation (Korea)
MTY CONSULTANTS:
SMEC (Australia)
ILM BRIDGES CONSULTANTS:
CTT-Stronghold (Spain)
Mr. Wolfgang Buchler (Switzerland)

14

BEARING TYPE:
PL-1000, PUE-1600, PLE-1000

BEARING TYPE:
PL-400, PPUE-1650, PPLE-1650

10. Quality control and tests

High precision techniques are used in the manufacturing
and finishing of POT bearings. Given the loads to be
transmitted and the deformations to be absorbed, the
quality of the materials and workmanship are ensured
by Quality Control Plans regularly revised to meet any
particular specification.
Since early 1997, we have established a quality manual
and a manual of procedures in order to be certified ISO9002-94.
CTT, acting as a member of the European Standarisation
Commitee CEN collaborates in the European Standard
for POT bearings.

Testing POT bearings in laboratory

CORROSION PROTECTION
All steel areas in contact with the atmosphere are
protected with the following standard corrosion protection:
- surface conditioning by sand blasting according to
SIS-055900, grade Sa 2 1/2
,
- two layers of epoxy primer (cathodic protection),
- one finishing layer of acrylic resin and chloride
plasticizer paint.
The minimum total thickness of the three-layer protection
is
between
100
n
and
120
n.
POT bearings are supplied with different corrosion
protection following specific requirements such as
metalisation or use of special self-protected steels.

Testing platform general view

TESTING
The quality and behaviour of CTT POT bearings is
regularly checked by several tests :
- vertical load tests
- vertical and horizontal load tests
- friction tests
- rotation test
These tests are generally carried out in an official
laboratory next to our factory :
- Laboratori General dAssaigs i lnvestigacions LGAI
in Barcelona.

Quality control document

15