Inside the Lab: Bearings support bridges, but how long can they last?

Inside the Lab is McMaster Engineering’s new Instagram story series that gives a behind-the-scenes look at how our students are working towards tackling the grand challenges facing our world through innovative research projects.

Kicking off the series is Bryanna Noade, MASc in Civil Engineering and Jacquelyn Spadzinski, undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering and Management. Working in Tracy Becker’s Lab, the pair is developing a new method to monitor the performance of elastomeric bridge bearings.

The study could lead to a new electrical performance test of elastomeric bearings, which could help determine the life expectancy of bearings, saving industries hundreds of thousands in repairing damages.

Bridges are supported on bridge bearings, which also allow some movement of the bridge due to thermal expansion and contraction. There are many types of bridge bearings. Elastomeric bearings are made of alternating steel and rubber layers. The rubber provides the horizontal flexibility for expansion and contraction of the bridge, while the steel allows the bearing to hold higher loads.

“The life expectancy of elastomeric bridge bearings is currently unknown,” explained Noade. “Being able to test a bearing to see if it is not performing well from damage will help us better understand bearing replacement schedules and plan maintenance budgets more effectively.”

Follow McMaster Engineering on Instagram to learn more about Noade and Spadzinski and their fascinating project.