APPENDIX A: EXAMPLE 3 - TYPE I BEARING (REINFORCED) (METHOD B) 1

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APPENDIX A
EXAMPLE 3 - TYPE I BEARING (STEEL REINFORCED)
METHOD B
GENERAL INFORMATION
Per CDOT Bridge Design Manual (BDM) Section 14.5.8, steel reinforced bearing pads shall be designed using
Method B. This example follows AASHTO LRFD 7th Edition Section 14.7.5.
This example assumes a steel superstructure that can displace under the effects of temperature and assumes a rectangular
bearing shown below in Figures 1 and 2. Externally bonded plates are not used. The structure is assumed to move freely in the
longitudinal direction only for the range of temperatures conforming to AASHTO [Link] Procedure A.

MATERIAL AND SECTION PROPERTIES

Bearing Dimensions
Bearing Width W= 20.00 in AASHTO [Link]
Bearing Length L= 15.00 in AASHTO [Link]
Bearing Pad Layers
Exterior Elastomeric Thickness hre = 0.125 in OK < 70% hri AASHTO [Link]
Interior Elastomeric Thickness hri = 0.500 in
Steel Plate Thickness hs = 0.125 in
No. of Steel Shim Plates nshims = 10
No. of Interior Elastomer Layers n= 9 AASHTO [Link].3
Total Elastomer Thickness hrt = 4.750 in
Total Bearing Height t= 6.00 in OK 2" minimum height per BDM 14.5.8

Bearing Material Properties

Elastomer Grade Grade = 3 (Zone C) BDM 14.5.8, & AASHTO Table &
Figure [Link]-1
Shear Modulus
Design drawings shall specify the shear modulus of the elastomer at 73°. With an acceptance variation of ± 15% of the specified
value, the shear modulus used in design will vary. The shear modulus shall be taken as the least favorable value within the
range to cause the more conservative outcome in the specific analysis being considered
(AASHTO [Link]). The plan shear modulus below assumes a Durometer Hardness of 60.

Gplan= 0.150 ksi AASHTO T14.7.6.2-1

Gmax= 0.173 ksi
Gmin= 0.128 ksi
Check = 0.08 ksi < G < 0.175 ksi OK AASHTO [Link]

Creep Deflection Factor 𝛼 0.35 AASHTO T14.7.6.2-1

Steel Shim Properties

Yield Strength of Steel Fy = 36.00 ksi AASHTO T6.4.1-1
Allowable Fatigue Threshold ΔFTH = 24.00 ksi AASHTO T6.[Link]-1

CDOT Bridge Design Manual January 2017

APPENDIX A: EXAMPLE 3 - TYPE I BEARING (REINFORCED) (METHOD B) 2
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FIGURE 1 - TYPE I - STEEL REINFORCED BEARING DETAIL - PLAN

FIGURE 2 - TYPE I - STEEL REINFORCED BEARING DETAIL - SECTION

BEARING LOADS
Loads acting on the bearing are dead and live load girder reactions at the service limit state. Per AASHTO 14.4.1, dynamic load
allowance is excluded from the live load influence. Loads are per bearing.

Service I Limit State Loads

DL = 115.00 kip
LL= 85.00 kip

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BEARING ROTATIONS
Rotations include effects of girder camber. For all rotation values, positive indicates a downward rotation while negative
indicates an upward rotation. Note this example does not account for profile grade differences between supports.
Service I Limit State Rotations
Dead Load Rotations 𝜃 -0.002 rad
Live Load Rotations 𝜃 0.001 rad

Include a construction tolerance of 0.005 radians to account for uncertainties in bearing fabrication and bearing seat
construction. Per BDM 14.5.4, the flatness tolerance for bearing seat uncertainties is accounted for in the construction tolerance.

Construction Tolerance 𝜃 0.005 rad AASHTO [Link]

HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT
Shear deformations include movements from temperature, creep and shrinkage, prestressing effects, and miscellaneous
movement from loads such as live and wind loads from service load combinations per AASHTO C14.4.1. Assume the bearings
are not adjusted after construction; therefore, the 65 percent reduction in thermal movement range per
AASHTO [Link].2 is not included per BDM 14.5.3.

Uniform Temperature Movement Range:

Maximum temperature 𝑇 120 ͦF AASHTO T3.12.2.1-1

Minimum temperature 𝑇 -30 ͦF AASHTO T3.12.2.1-1
Coeff. of thermal expansion 𝛼 6.5E-06 in/in/ ͦ F AASHTO 6.4.1
Expansion length 𝐿 80.00 ft = 960.00 in
Service I Load Factor, TU 𝛾 1.20 AASHTO T3.4.1-1
AASHTO Reduction Factor 𝛼 1.00 BDM 14.5.3

∆ 𝛼𝐿 𝑇 𝑇 6.5E-6*960.00*[120-(-30)] = 0.94 in AASHTO [Link]-1

Creep, Shrinkage, Elastic Shortening, Live Load, and Miscellaneous Movements:

Creep movement ΔCR = 0.00 in

Shrinkage movement ΔSH = 0.00 in
Elastic shortening ΔEL = 0.00 in
Live load movement ΔLL = 0.04 in
Miscellaneous movement ΔMISC =  0.50 in

∆ Maximum horizontal displacement of the superstructure

∆ Maximum shear deformation of the bearing modified to account for substructure stiffness

Assuming the substructure is stiff enough to prevent movement:

∆ ∆ 𝛼 𝛾 ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ AASHTO [Link].2 & BDM

14.5.3
1.00*1.20*0.94+0.00+0.00+0.00+0.04+0.50 = 1.66 in

SOLUTION
Shape Factor
Rectangular, steel reinforced bearing shape factor without holes:

𝐿𝑊
𝑆𝑖 (15.00*20.00) / [2*0.500*(15.00+20.00)] = 8.57 AASHTO [Link]-1
2ℎ𝑟𝑖 𝐿 𝑊

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APPENDIX A: EXAMPLE 3 - TYPE I BEARING (REINFORCED) (METHOD B) 4
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Computed Compressive Stresses

𝐷𝐿 𝐿𝐿
𝜎 (115.00+85.00) / (15.00*20.00) = 0.67 ksi
𝐿𝑊

𝜎 average compressive stress due to total load from applicable service load combinations

𝐿𝐿
𝜎 85.00 / (15.00*20.00) = 0.28 ksi
𝐿𝑊

𝜎 average compressive stress due to live load at the service limit state (cyclic load)

𝐷𝐿
𝜎 115.00 / (15.00*20.00) = 0.38 ksi
𝐿𝑊

𝜎 average compressive stress due to dead load at the service limit state (static load)

Compressive Deflections AASHTO [Link].6

Live Load Compressive Deflection

Minimizing deflection from instantaneous live loads is recommended when bridge joints are present. For jointless bridges, these
criteria may be omitted.

𝛿 0.125" AASHTO C14.[Link]

𝛿 ∑𝜀 ℎ 𝜀 ℎ AASHTO [Link].6-1

𝜀 instantaneous live load compressive strain in elastomeric pad

𝜎 AASHTO C14.[Link]-1
𝜀 0.28 / (4.8*0.13*8.57^2) = 0.006
4.8𝐺 𝑆

𝛿 𝜀 ℎ 0.006*4.750 = 0.030 in

Check 𝛿 0.125" 0.030 in < 0.125 in OK

Dead Load Compressive Deflection

AASHTO Method B does not have limitations on initial or long term dead load deflections. The following calculation is for
demonstration only. Engineering judgment shall be used in evaluating appropriate allowable deflections in the bearing.

Initial dead load deflection:

𝛿 ∑𝜀 ℎ AASHTO [Link].6-2

𝜀 initial dead load compressive strain in i th layer of elastomeric pad

𝜎 AASHTO C14.[Link]-1
𝜀 0.38 / (4.8*0.13*8.57^2) = 0.009
4.8𝐺 𝑆

𝛿 𝜀 ℎ 0.009*4.750 = 0.040 in.

Long term dead load deflection: AASHTO [Link].6-3

𝛿 𝛿 𝛼 𝛿 = 0.040+0.35*0.040 = 0.055 in. AASHTO T14.7.6.2-1

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APPENDIX A: EXAMPLE 3 - TYPE I BEARING (REINFORCED) (METHOD B) 5
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Shear Deformations
Total elastomer thickness = hrt

ℎ 2∆ 2*1.66 = 3.33 in AASHTO [Link].2-1

Check ℎ 4.75 in > 3.33 in OK

Combined Compression, Rotation, and Shear AASHTO [Link].3

For demonstration purposes, only rotation about the transverse direction is verified. The Designer shall evaluate the bearing
about both the longitudinal and transverse axis as appropriate, especially in cases where the structure contains a significant
skew (AASHTO C14.[Link]). Cyclic loading shall consist of loads induced by traffic with all other loads considered static
(AASHTO [Link].3).

𝛾 , 𝛾 , 𝛾 , 1.75 𝛾 , 𝛾 , 𝛾, 5.0 AASHTO [Link].3-1

and
𝛾 , 3.0 AASHTO [Link].3-2

Axial Load Shear Strain

𝜎,
Axial strain from static loads: 𝛾 , 𝐷 AASHTO [Link].3-3
𝐺𝑆

𝜎,
Axial strain from cyclic loads: 𝛾 , 𝐷 AASHTO [Link].3-3
𝐺𝑆
where:
Da = 1.40 AASHTO [Link].3-4

𝜎, 𝜎 = Compressive stress due to total static load at service limit state

𝜎, 𝜎 = Compressive stress due to cyclic load at service limit state

𝜎, 1.40*0.38
𝛾 , 𝐷 = 0.491
𝐺 𝑆 0.13*8.57

𝜎, 1.40*0.28
𝛾 , 𝐷 = 0.363
𝐺 𝑆 0.13*8.57

Rotational Shear Strain

𝐿 𝜃 ,
Rotational strain from static loads: 𝛾 , 𝐷 AASHTO [Link].3-6
ℎ 𝑛

𝐿 𝜃 ,
Rotational strain from cyclic loads: 𝛾 , 𝐷 AASHTO [Link].3-6
ℎ 𝑛
where
Dr = 0.50 AASHTO [Link].3-7

𝜃 , 𝜃 + 𝜃 Maximum static service limit state design rotation

𝜃 , 𝜃 Maximum cyclic service limit state design rotation

𝐿 𝜃 ,
𝛾 , 𝐷 0.50 ( 15.00 / 0.500 ) ^2 *(-0.002+0.005) / 9 = 0.150
ℎ 𝑛

𝐿 𝜃 ,
𝛾 , 𝐷 0.50 ( 15.00 / 0.500 ) ^2 *(0.001) / 9 = 0.050
ℎ 𝑛

CDOT Bridge Design Manual January 2017

APPENDIX A: EXAMPLE 3 - TYPE I BEARING (REINFORCED) (METHOD B) 6
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Shear Deformation Shear Strain

∆,
Shear strain from static loads: 𝛾 , AASHTO [Link].3-10
ℎ

∆,
Shear strain from cyclic loads: 𝛾, AASHTO [Link].3-10
ℎ
where
∆ , ∆ ∆ 1.663 in

∆ , ∆ 0.040 in

∆,
𝛾 , 1.663 / 4.750 = 0.350
ℎ

∆,
𝛾, 0.040 / 4.750 = 0.008
ℎ

Combined Shear Strains Checks

𝛾 , 𝛾 , 𝛾 , 1.75 𝛾 , 𝛾 , 𝛾, 5.0

= 0.491+0.150+0+ 1.75(0.363+0.050+0.008) = 1.73 < 5.00 OK

𝛾 , 3.0 𝛾 , 0.491 < 3.00 OK

Stability AASHTO [Link].4

If the following is satisfied, no further investigation of stability is required:
AASHTO [Link]-1
2𝐴 𝐵
where
ℎ
1.92 𝐿 1.92*(4.750 / 15.00) = 0.38 AASHTO [Link].4-2
𝐴
2.0𝐿 SQRT [ 1 + (2*15.00) / 20.00]
1
𝑊
2.67 2.67 = 0.21 AASHTO [Link].4-3
𝐵
𝐿 (8.57+2.0) * [1+15.00 / (4.0*20.00)]
𝑆 2.0 1
4.0𝑊

Note that if L is greater than W, stability shall be L= 15.00 in

investigated by interchanging L and W. W= 20.00 in

Check 2𝐴 2*0.38 = 0.77 > 0.21 =B FAILS

If the above criteria for stability are not satisfied, the following equations shall be investigated:

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APPENDIX A: EXAMPLE 3 - TYPE I BEARING (REINFORCED) (METHOD B) 7
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For a bridge deck that is free to translate horizontally:

For demonstration only. Designer shall determine movement capability of bridge on a case by case basis.

𝐺 𝑆 0.13*8.57 AASHTO [Link].4-4

𝜎 = 1.96 ksi
2𝐴 𝐵 2*0.38 -0.21

Check 𝜎 0.67 ksi < 1.96 ksi OK Bearing is Stable

For a bridge deck that is fixed against horizontal translation:

For demonstration only. Designer shall determine movement capability of bridge on a case by case basis.

𝐺 𝑆 0.13*8.57 AASHTO [Link].4-5

𝜎 = 6.36 ksi
𝐴 𝐵 0.38 -0.21

Check 𝜎 0.67 ksi < 6.36 ksi OK Bearing is Stable

Reinforcement AASHTO [Link].5

Note that holes are not present in the bearing. The allowable thickness does not need to be increased per
AASHTO [Link].5

The minimum thickness of steel reinforcement shall satisfy the following:

ℎ .0625𝑖𝑛
and
(Service Limit State)

3ℎ 𝜎 3*0.500*0.67 = 0.028 in AASHTO [Link].5-1

ℎ
𝐹 36

and
(Fatigue Limit State)

2ℎ 𝜎 2*0.500*0.28 = 0.012 in AASHTO [Link].5-2

ℎ
∆𝐹 24.00

Check
ℎ 0.125 in > 0.0625 in OK

0.125 in > 0.028 in OK

0.125 in > 0.012 in OK

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Bearing Anchorage AASHTO [Link]

For bearings without externally bonded plates, a restraint system is required to secure the bearing against horizontal movement
if:
𝜃 3𝜀 AASHTO [Link]-1
𝑛 𝑆
where
𝜃 total of static and cyclic service limit state design rotation. Cyclic component is multiplied by 1.75
𝜀 total of static and cyclic average axial strain. Cyclic component is multiplied by 1.75

𝜃 𝜃 , 1.75𝜃 , 𝜃 + 𝜃 1.75𝜃

= -0.002+0.005+1.75*0.001= 0.005 rad

𝜀 𝜀 1.75𝜀 𝜀 1.75𝜀 0.009+ 1.75*0.006= 0.020

Check

𝜃 3𝜀 0.005 3*0.020 Restraint

= 0.001 < = 0.007 FAILS
𝑛 𝑆 9 8.57 Required

If the Engineer elects to use externally bonded plates, limitations on hydrostatic pressure per AASHTO [Link].3-11 shall be
satisfied.

Anchorage (Bearing Pad Slip) AASHTO 14.8.3

The bearing pad must be secured against horizontal movement if the shear force sustained by the deformed pad exceeds the
minimum vertical force due to permanent loads modified for the concrete friction. Gmax is used since the pad is stiffer at colder
temperatures and will produce larger shear forces. Note this example considers longitudinal deformations only; wind, braking,
and seismic loads shall also be considered as appropriate, in the direction of consideration.

𝐻 𝜇𝑃 AASHTO [Link]-1
and
∆
𝐻 𝐺 𝐴 AASHTO [Link]-2
ℎ

Combining equations:
𝜇𝑃 ℎ
∆ , 0.20*115.00*4.75 / (0.17*300.00) = 2.11 in
𝐺 𝐴
where
𝜇 0.20 Coefficient of friction AASHTO C14.8.3.1
𝑃 DL 115.00 kip
𝐴 𝐿𝑊 300.00 in2
ℎ 4.75 in

Check
∆ , 2.11 in > ∆ 1.66 in OK

In cases where Δs exceeds Δs,allow, anchor bolts shall be sized and designed in accordance with those Articles specified in
AASHTO 14.8.3

CDOT Bridge Design Manual January 2017