Bridge Bearing Data Form

Bearing properties specify data for bridge bearings. Bearing properties are used in abutment, bent and hinge assignments to the bridge object. At abutments, bearings are used in the connection between the girders and the substructure. At bents, bearings are used in the connection between the girders and the bent cap beam. At hinges, bearings are used in the connection between the girders on the two sides of the hinge. A bearing property can be specified as a Link/Support property or it can be user defined.

Bridge Bearing Name edit box. Use the default or specify another name for the bridge bearing definition.
Bridge Bearing Is Defined By options. Choose an option for defining the bearing. The user defined bearing is recommended. The user defined bearing allows each of the six degrees of freedom to be specified as fixed, free or partially restrained with a specified spring constant.
- Link/Support Property option. If this option is selected, select a link definition from the drop-down list. Alternatively, click the plus symbol (+) preceding the drop-down list to access the Link/Support Properties form and define a new link definition or review/modify an existing link property definition.
- User Definition option. Use the options available in the User Bearing Properties spreadsheet area to define the bearing definition. Specify if the bearing is free, fixed, or partially fixed for the three translational and three rotational directions, as required. If a direction is specified Partial Fixity, specify a value for Stiffness.

Access the Bridge Bearing Data form as follows:

Click the Components > Substructure Item > Bearings> Expand arrow command or on the Bridge Wizard highlight the Bearing item and then click the Define/Show Bearing button, to display the Define Bridge Bearings form.
Click the Add New Bridge Bearing button or highlight a previously defined definition and click the Add Copy of Bridge Bearing or Modify/Show Bridge Bearing button to display the Bridge Bearing Data form.

After the bearing has been defined, assign it to the bridge model using a Bridge Objects or Step 7 on the Bridge Wizard.