ASTM D5977-23

Standard Specification for High Load Rotational Spherical Bearings for Bridges and Structures

ABSTRACT
This specification covers bridge bearings that consist of a spherical rotational element, where a stainless steel convex surface slides against a concave carbon steel plate covered with woven or sheet polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The function of the bearing is to transfer loads and to accommodate any relative movement, including rotation between a bridge superstructure and its supporting structure, or both. The requirements of spherical bearings with a standard horizontal load (a maximum of 10 % of vertical) are discussed. The bearings are furnished in three types: fixed spherical bearing which is for rotation only, unidirectional sliding spherical bearing which is for rotation plus movement in one direction, and multi-directional sliding spherical bearing which is for rotation plus movement in all directions. The materials to be used in producing the bearings include: steel, stainless steel (flat sliding surface and convex surface), woven fabric polytetrafluoroethylene, and sheet polytetrafluoroethylene. The following different test methods shall be performed: proof load and rotation tests for fixed and expansion bearings, coefficient of friction test for expansion bearings only, PTFE (woven or sheet) bond test for expansion bearings only, and physical property test of both PTFEs for fixed and expansion bearings.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers bridge bearings that consist of a spherical rotational element, where a stainless steel convex surface slides against a concave carbon steel plate covered with woven or sheet polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The function of the bearing is to transfer loads and to accommodate any relative movement, including rotation between a bridge superstructure and its supporting structure, or both.  
1.2 This specification covers the requirements of spherical bearings with a standard horizontal load (a maximum of 10 % of vertical).  
1.3 The requirements stated in this specification are the minima necessary for the manufacture of quality bearing devices. It may be necessary to increase these minimum values due to other design conditions.  
1.4 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.  
1.6 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 7, of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2023
• ICS: 93.040 - Bridge construction
• Technical Committee: D04 - Road and Paving Materials
• Drafting Committee: D04.32 - Bridges and Structures

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5977 − 23
Standard Specification for
High Load Rotational Spherical Bearings for Bridges and
1
Structures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5977; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This specification covers bridge bearings that consist of
a spherical rotational element, where a stainless steel convex
2. Referenced Documents
surface slides against a concave carbon steel plate covered with
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
woven or sheet polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The function
A36/A36M Specification for Carbon Structural Steel
of the bearing is to transfer loads and to accommodate any
A167 Specification for Stainless and Heat-Resisting
relative movement, including rotation between a bridge super-
Chromium-Nickel Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip (With-
structure and its supporting structure, or both.
3
drawn 2014)
1.2 This specification covers the requirements of spherical
A240/A240M Specification for Chromium and Chromium-
bearings with a standard horizontal load (a maximum of 10 %
Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure
of vertical).
Vessels and for General Applications
A304 Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel Bars Subject
1.3 The requirements stated in this specification are the
to End-Quench Hardenability Requirements
minima necessary for the manufacture of quality bearing
A572/A572M Specification for High-Strength Low-Alloy
devices. It may be necessary to increase these minimum values
Columbium-Vanadium Structural Steel
due to other design conditions.
A588/A588M Specification for High-Strength Low-Alloy
1.4 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
Structural Steel, up to 50 ksi [345 MPa] Minimum Yield
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
Point, with Atmospheric Corrosion Resistance
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for
A709/A709M Specification for Structural Steel for Bridges
information only and are not considered standard.
D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
1.5 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
D1457 Specification for Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
3
as requirements of the standard.
Molding and Extrusion Materials (Withdrawn 1996)
D1777 Test Method for Thickness of Textile Materials
1.6 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
test method portion, Section 7, of this specification: This D2256/D2256M Test Method for Tensile Properties of Yarns
by the Single-Strand Method
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
4
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user 2.2 AASHTO Standard:
AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
5
environmental practices and determine the applicability of 2.3 AWS Standards:
C2.2-67 Metalizing with Aluminum and Zinc for Protection
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor- of Iron and Steel
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
2
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road www.astm.org.
4
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.32 on Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Bridges and Structures. Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001,
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published May 2023. Originally http://www.transportation.org.
5
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D5977 – 15. DOI: Available from American Welding Society (AWS), 550 NW LeJeune Rd.,
10.1520/D5977-23.
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D5977 − 15 D5977 − 23
Standard Specification for
High Load Rotational Spherical Bearings for Bridges and
1
Structures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5977; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers bridge bearings that consist of a spherical rotational element, where a stainless steel convex surface
slides against a concave carbon steel plate covered with woven or sheet polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The function of the
bearing is to transfer loads and to accommodate any relative movement, including rotation between a bridge superstructure and
its supporting structure, or both.
1.2 This specification covers the requirements of spherical bearings with a standard horizontal load (a maximum of 10 % of
vertical).
1.3 The requirements stated in this specification are the minima necessary for the manufacture of quality bearing devices. It may
be necessary to increase these minimum values due to other design conditions.
1.4 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
information only.mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.6 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 7, of this specification: This standard
does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this
standard to establish appropriate safety and healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A36/A36M Specification for Carbon Structural Steel
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.32 on Bridges
and Structures.
Current edition approved June 1, 2015May 1, 2023. Published July 2015May 2023. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20122015 as
D5977 – 03 (2012).D5977 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/D5977-15.10.1520/D5977-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D5977 − 23
3
A167 Specification for Stainless and Heat-Resisting Chromium-Nickel Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip (Withdrawn 2014)
A240/A240M Specification for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels and
for General Applications
A304 Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel Bars Subject to End-Quench Hardenability Requirements
A572/A572M Specification for High-Strength Low-Alloy Columbium-Vanadium Structural Steel
A588/A588M Specification for High-Strength Low-Alloy Structural Steel, up to 50 ksi [345 MPa] Minimum Yield Point, with
Atmospheric Corrosion Resistance
A709/A709M Specification for Structural Steel for Bridges
D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement
3
D1457 Specification for Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Molding and Extrusion Materials (Withdrawn 1996)
D1777 Test Method for Thickness of Textile Materials
D2256D2256/D2256M Test Method for Tensile Properties of Yarns by the Single-Strand Method
4
2.2 AASHTO Standard:
AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges
5
2.3 AWS Standards
...