Title: Bearings, Restraints and Joints for the Italian High Speed Railway

Author(s): Agostino Marioni and Alberto Abate

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 164

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1137-1156

Keywords: Bearings; control joints; earthquake-resistant structures; quality control; tests.

DOI: 10.14359/14342

Date: 11/1/1996

Abstract:
The Italian high speed railway project includes lines for an overall lenth of about 1,500 Km, many of them in seismic areas. This paper gives an overview on the possible static scheme of the bridges together with the relevant hearings, restraints and expansion joints type and layout to be adopted; it describes main technical features of design, production and installation of the bearings, taking into account very high horizontal forces due to braking or to earthquake, high rotation values, corrosion protection and electrical insulation required; furthermore elastic devices had to be provided for a correct behaviour of the girder. The expansion joints have been designed to satisfy severe performance qualifications. Moreover this paper describes the type testing and the quality assurance system of bearings and expansion joints stated by Italian Railway Authority, able to guarantee great durability and reliability of the structures together with easy maintenance and favourable functional conditions.