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.