Plain bearing pad design by AREMA
Plain bearing pad design by AREMA
(OP)
Good day all.
We are designing a plain (unreinforced) elastomeric bearing pad for a rail bridge according to Chapter 15 of AREMA.
We are able to satisfy 5.5 MPa limit, but we are struggling with GS/k limit.
(1) Is the GS/k limit applicable to plain pads, or is it only for reinforced pads?
The definition of Shape Factor "S" seems to be for reinforced pads, as indicated by the definition of t_sub_i.
(2) For a plain pad, what would t_sub_i be? Is it total pad thickness?
Your help is appreciated. Thank you
We are designing a plain (unreinforced) elastomeric bearing pad for a rail bridge according to Chapter 15 of AREMA.
We are able to satisfy 5.5 MPa limit, but we are struggling with GS/k limit.
(1) Is the GS/k limit applicable to plain pads, or is it only for reinforced pads?
The definition of Shape Factor "S" seems to be for reinforced pads, as indicated by the definition of t_sub_i.
(2) For a plain pad, what would t_sub_i be? Is it total pad thickness?
Your help is appreciated. Thank you
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RE: Plain bearing pad design by AREMA
Based on what I'm seeing in the AASHTO spec, I would expect the PEP to have a larger value for "k" than for a reinforced bearing. The AASHTO service stress limit is 1.0GS for PEP and 1.25GS for steel and fiberglass reinforced bearings.
RE: Plain bearing pad design by AREMA
Yes, AREMA uses k = 1.8 for PEP, and k = 1.0 for reinforced bearing.
RE: Plain bearing pad design by AREMA