Prediction of bearing lifetime demands by considering the bridge design and location parameters

The long-term performance and safety of bridges is of paramount importance. Researchers have placed significant focus on the degradation and deterioration of bridge materials such as steel and concrete, but significantly less is known about the long-term behavior of bridge bearings. Uncertainty in the bearing behavior over time leads to challenges about when the bearings should be inspected and potentially replaced. However, bearing demands vary greatly based on the design of the bridge (e.g. differences in bridge material, girder type, span, height, and location). This paper finds trends in lifetime bearing demands from seismic, thermal, and traffic loading when the bridge design and location parameters are considered. These results can be used to identify which of the parameters have the greatest influence on the lifetime bearing demands which can then be used, in turn, to evaluate bearing long-term performance.