432 — BEARINGS 2026 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS CATEGORY 400 STRUCTURES SECTION 432 — BEARINGS
432.01 Description
Furnish and install bearings fabricated as specified in Section 430. Perform welding according to AWS D1.5.
432.02 Materials
Nonshrink Grout 902.11(c) Steel Plates 909.02 Bronze or Copper Alloy Bearing and Expansion Plates 910.01 Elastomeric Bearing Pads 910.02 Preformed Fabric Pads 910.02.03 Epoxy Adhesives 921.04
432.03 Construction
432.03.01 Storage and Handling. Store all types of bearings at the site under cover and on
suitable blocking or platform at least 4 in. above all types of surfaces and vegetation. Protect from damage at all times and, when placed, keep them dry, clean, free of dirt, oil, grease, and other foreign substances.
432.03.02 Installation. Place preformed fabric pad on surfaces meeting 420.03.07(c) prior to
installing the masonry bearing plate. Ensure that all bearings and pedestals of truss, stringer spans, and the center and end bearing of swing spans are rigidly and permanently located to correct alignments and elevations. Refer to the applicable portions of Section 430 for the attachment of bearings or plates to steel superstructures. For bearing retrofit and replacement projects, inspect anchor bolts for deterioration and structural integrity at each existing beam end to be jacked. Only remove and replace those anchor bolts as indicated in the Contract Documents or designated by the Engineer. Use anchor bolts of the same diameter and length as the existing or as detailed in the Contract Documents. 432 — BEARINGS 2026 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS Replace existing bearing assemblies in kind by fabricating to the existing dimensions or as detailed in the Contract Documents.
432.03.03 Steel, Bronze, or Copper Bearings. When steel, bronze, or copper alloy bearings are
specified, thoroughly clean the machined bearing surfaces immediately before installation. As soon as practicable after installation, apply one prime coat to all unpainted exposed surfaces of the bearings scheduled for painting. Then proceed with the application of the specified field coats.
432.03.04 Elastomeric Bearing Pads. Prior to installation, give the pads and abutting surfaces a
final cleaning to ensure that they are free of dust, dirt, oil, grease, moisture, and other foreign substances. Use an approved solvent that is compatible with the adhesive prior to application of the epoxy adhesive. Mix and apply the epoxy adhesive according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. When elastomeric pads are used without masonry bearing plates, grind the masonry bearing surfaces to remove all laitance before applying the adhesive. Apply the adhesive to the surfaces of the masonry bearing areas that will be in contact with the bearing pads and to the full contact area of the bearing pad. After the pads are in place, use blocking or other approved mechanical methods to secure the pads in their final position until the adhesive sets. Set the beam on its bearing before the epoxy adhesive sets. Ensure that the elastomeric pad does not shift while the beam is being set on its bearing. Surface temperatures and predicted ambient air temperature for the next four hours shall be 50 F or higher at the time of application unless otherwise specified or recommended by the epoxy adhesive manufacturer and approved.
432.04 Measurement and Payment
Bearings will not be measured but the cost will be incidental to other pertinent items specified.
432.04.01 All replacement bridge bearing assemblies required for the bridge will be measured and
paid for at the Contract unit price per each on the pertinent Remove and Replace Bridge Bearing item. The payment will be full compensation for the jacking existing beams, removal of the existing bearing, installation, cleaning, and painting of the new bearing, removal of jacking system, and all material, labor, equipment, tools, and incidentals necessary to complete the work.
432.04.02 All replacement anchor bolts required for the bridge will be measured and paid for at
the Contract unit price per each for the pertinent Anchor Bolt Replacement item. The payment will be full compensation for jacking existing beams (if needed), coring the holes, grout, replacement anchor bolts, installation, removing jacking system (if needed), and all material, labor, equipment, tools, and incidentals necessary to complete the work.
432.04.03 Replacement bearing pads will be measured and paid for at the Contract unit price per
each on the pertinent Replacement of Elastomeric Bearing Pads item. The payment will be full compensation for jacking existing beams, removal, furnishing, fabricating, installing, etc., of 432 — BEARINGS 2026 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS elastomeric bearing pads including surface preparation, adhesive, cleaning and painting the sole plate, removal of jacking system, and all material, labor, equipment, tools, and incidentals necessary to complete the work.
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