AU6080598A

AU6080598A - Device for spanning an expansion joint of a bridge

Info

Publication number: AU6080598A
Application number: AU60805/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Georg Wolff
Original assignee: Reisner & Wolff Engineering & Co KG GmbH
Current assignee: Reisner & Wolff Engineering & Co KG GmbH
Priority date: 1997-02-27
Filing date: 1998-02-26
Publication date: 1998-09-18
Also published as: HUP0003432A2; AT412291B; EP0964959A2; WO1998038385A3; WO1998038385A2; HU223212B1; CA2282660A1; PL335818A1; EP0964959B1; CN1251150A; DE59804577D1; BR9807637A; HUP0003432A3; SK113899A3; ATA32997A

Description

-1 DEVICE FOR SPANNING AN EXPANSION JOINT OF A BRIDGE The invention relates to an elastomer bearing and a bearing arrangement for 5 plates designed to bridge an expansion joint between two structural components, in particular provided as part of a roadway on bridges, as outlined in the pream ble of claims 1 and 18. In order to be able to compensate for expansion between two different construc 10 tion points, for example the abutment and the framework of a bridge, these ex pansion joints are bridged by inserted plates, in particular intermediate or centre plates. The number of plates running parallel with one another in the direction of the expansion joint and running parallel with the abutments will be determined depending on the permissible range of change in the gap width and the load ca 15 pacity of the individual plates. The maximum permissible gap width is mostly determined on the basis of the specifications issued in the tender or by the rele vant technical standards. However, these plates will not only have to be capable of bearing the load on the abutments and the frame structure determined by the amount of traffic crossing over, but also of distributing the plates uniformly 20 across the expansion joints in order to bridge the joints. To this end, the dis tances between the individual plates must be kept uniform as the structural com ponents are subjected to different states of expansion. CH 651 339 A proposes the provision of resilient intermediate elements between 25 the individual plates, which are arranged either immediately between the individ ual plates or on cross members rigidly connected to the individual plates. Another known approach, regardless of the lack of intermediate members to bear the load of the forces acting on the plates, is to arrange the plates on truss-type 30 rails which take over the function of bearing the load on the abutments and framework, enabling the distribution of the plates across the width of the expan- -2 sion joint to be kept uniform as they are displaced due to the change in the width of the joints. Finally, another method, known from AT 397 674 B filed by the same applicant, 5 is that whereby the elastomer supports for the plates consist of individual block bearings distributed across the length of the intermediate section, which are sup ported on the joint edge and on the respective adjacent intermediate section. Due to the fact that several block bearings of this type are distributed across the length of the plates, the load-bearing stress as well as the tensile strain caused by 10 changes in distance between the individual means and intermediate plates is dis tributed uniformly across a plurality of such block bearings. As a result of the elastic support afforded to these plates, it is now possible to provide the load bearing function and meet the requirement of maintaining a same distance be tween the individual plates by elastic block bearings, which provide automatic 15 adjustment and require few mechanical parts. However, the elastomer bearings or bearing arrangements of this design have not proved satisfactory in practice in coping with all of the applications which might arise. The underlying objective of the invention is to provide an elastomer bearing and 20 a bearing arrangement, which will require only a few universal components but will prove satisfactory as required. This objective is achieved by an elastomer bearing having the characterising features defined in claim 1. The advantage of this bearing is that the layout of 25 the elastomer bearing is such that the elasticities can be adapted in a simple man ner to suit the loads which occur in different spatial directions and the elastomer bearings nevertheless guarantee to afford a high load transfer capacity which means that the support of the centre and/or intermediate plates can be spread with a small number of elastomer bearings even at higher loads. 30 Another advantageous embodiment is described in claim 2, whereby the elasticity -3 and the deformation characteristic of the elastomer bearing are lower in a direc tion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the main direction of load than they are in the main direction of load, although a larger number thereof can be provided due to the lesser thickness of the reinforcing inserts, whilst still pro 5 ducing sufficient capacity in the elastomer bearing for transverse displacement or transverse deformation to position the individual plates. The advantage of the embodiment outlined in claim 3 is that the force can be transferred over a relatively large surface so that even high loads can be spread 10 without excessive strain or shearing in the individual joint regions. In particular, it is possible to adapt to the respective technology used to join the elastomer bearings and the plates as well as the cross or intermediate members. With the embodiment defined in claim 4, the multi-layered sandwich component 15 consisting of the elastomer layers and the reinforcing inserts is not necessarily weakened by the means used to receive fixing means and adjusting means and provision is also made so that a simple deformation of the elastomer bearing can be applied in order to adapt to the respective state of expansion of the frame work and the bearings on bridges during assembly, thereby making it possible to 20 fit and replace the elastomer bearings in any operating state. Claim 5 describes an embodiment of the elastomer bearing which is constructed to protect against corrosion. 25 The external arrangement of fixing means outside the periphery of the elastomer bearing is made possible by the advantageous embodiment described in claim 6, in which the respective structure of the transition regions also enables high transverse loads, in other words perpendicular to the main direction of load, to be absorbed. 30 Long service life and high strength are the advantages offered by the elastomer -4 bearing defined in the embodiment of claim 7, the choice of the relevant materi als and the bond between the reinforcing inserts and elastomer layers being sig nificantly improved. 5 The forces acting on the elastomer bearing are uniformly distributed by the em bodiment outlined in claim 8. The resilience and damping behaviour and the return force which builds up dur ing deflection can be universally adjusted by means of the structure proposed in 10 claim 9. The advantageous embodiment defined in claim 10 produces a solution offering lasting and, for this particular application, favourable damping characteristics and long service life, in addition to ability to withstand environmental influences 15 making for additional advantages under rough conditions, particularly in appli cations relating to expansion joints on bridges with roadways. Both in terms of load bearing capacity and the desired damping characteristics, the embodiments described in claim 11 are particularly well suited for use with 20 an elastomer bearing in the field of bridge construction. The embodiments proposed in claims 12 and/or 13 are particularly suitable as a durable and preferably also corrosion-resistant solution with regard to deflection of the elastomer bearing and connection to other bearing components. 25 The embodiment proposed in claim 14 produces an efficient distribution of force and introduction of force to the elastomer element. The embodiment defined in claim 15 offers the possibility of joining an elastomer 30 bearing of this type by means of jointing methods conventionally used in the con struction industry, namely welding, with other structural components without -5 producing any detrimental effect on the elasticity required of the elastomer layer for the purposes of damping and recovery from deflection displacements. A multi-point attachment is made simpler and more practical by the embodiment 5 described in claim 16. The additional bores in the connecting and bearing plates described in claim 17 can be used during fitting as a means of adjusting the elastomer bearings to suit different positions of the plates and the structural components spaced apart from 10 one another across the expansion joint. The invention also relates to a bearing arrangement as outlined in the preamble of claim 18. 15 The underlying objective of the present invention can also be independently achieved by the features set out in claim 18. Use of these bearing arrangements makes it possible both to provide the load-bearing function and produce auto matic centring of the plates used for the expansion joint. 20 Accordingly, the spread can be achieved using a smaller number of components and, by using a greater number of the same type of components, stock-keeping is facilitated and the technical requirements for manufacturing bearing arrange ments of this type reduced. Above all, the design of this bearing arrangement is such that it is also possible to add further bearing arrangements to existing ex 25 pansion joints in a simple manner in order to adjust to higher loads or changing load conditions. An effective load distribution and efficient, automatic re-positioning of the plates in response to changing expansion joints can be produced by the features speci 30 fied in claim 19.

-6 A design such as that outlined in claims 20 and 21 will spread the load induced by stress acting on the plates and on the elastomer bearings. The force is introduced in an advantageous manner by the embodiment of the 5 elastomer bearing outlined in claim 22. A uniform spread and a uniform transfer of load can also be produced by shifting the position of the connecting plates relative to one another in different spatial directions by the embodiment defined in claim 23. 10 In addition to a fixed or permanent seating of the wall bearing section in the re spective structural component, the embodiment of claim 24 offers the possibility of a releasable attachment of the wall bearing section to the structural compo nent. 15 A uniform narrowing or widening of the gap width and the individual plate dis tances can be produced by the embodiment described in claim 25. In accordance with the various embodiments outlined in claims 26 to 29, the 20 plates can be optimally mounted and optimum load transfer obtained. The ad vantage of this type of arrangement is the elastomer bearing, the durability and strength of which are significantly enhanced. Sound support of the supporting element on the wall bearing section and hence 25 optimum mounting of the elastomer bearing are the features offered by the em bodiment of claim 30. The embodiment outlined in claim 31 guarantees a firm seating for the wall bearing section in the structural component. 30 The embodiment of claim 32 produces a uniform transfer of load and load ab- -7 sorption by the centre plates and the intermediate plates, which also produces a uniformly distributed load spread on the plates. An ideal structure for the supporting element receiving the elastomer bearing is 5 described in claim 33. The various embodiments defined in claims 34 to 36 produce an optimum con nection for the elastomer bearing to the centre plate and the intermediate plates and hence an impact-free fixture for the elastomer bearing at the bottom region 10 of the plate. The embodiments outlined in claims 37 and 38 produce a guaranteed load spread of the vertical loads in the elastomer bearings in spite of horizontal deformation. 15 The embodiments claimed in claims 39 to 41 make possible the advantageous arrangement whereby the elastomer bearings, can be laid out in a vertical direc tion and in a horizontal direction. The advantageous support system proposed by the invention for the centre plate 20 on the intermediate plates arranged adjacent thereto can be achieved by the em bodiment described in claim 42. A sound connection is provided for the individual elastomer bearings across the entire width of the bridging device and hence an advantageously uniform load 25 spread across the entire gap width by means of the embodiments outlined in claims 43 and 44. The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the em bodiments illustrated in the drawings. 30 -8 Of these: Fig. 1 is a simplified, schematic illustration of the device proposed by the invention for bridging an expansion joint, which is arranged in an 5 angled position relative to the longitudinal direction of the road way; Fig. 2 shows an elastomer bearing as proposed by the invention, having a bearing plate and connecting plate formed thereon, shown in sec 10 tion from a side view; Fig. 3 depicts the elastomer bearing in a view from underneath, along arrow III shown in Fig. 2; 15 Fig. 4 illustrates the device proposed by the invention for bridging an ex pansion joint between the framework and the abutment of a bridge, shown in section from a side view; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the proposed bridging device illustrated in Fig. 4, 20 along arrow V of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a retaining structure proposed by the invention for an elastomer bearing secured to a centre and/or intermediate plate, shown in section along line VI-VI of Fig. 5; 25 Fig. 7 is another embodiment of the device for bridging an expansion joint, in a simplified, schematic illustration seen from a plan view; Fig. 8 shows the device for bridging an expansion joint illustrated in Fig. 30 7, shown in section along line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7; -9 Fig. 9 is the device for bridging an expansion joint shown in Fig. 8 with a reduced gap width; Fig. 10 is the bridging device of Fig. 7, shown in section along the line X 5 X of Fig. 7; Fig. 11 shows the device for bridging an expansion joint of Fig. 10 with a reduced gap width; 10 Fig. 12 is a part region of the bridging device of Fig. 7, shown in section along line XII-XII of Fig. 7; Fig. 13 is a plan view of another embodiment of the device for bridging an expansion joint having elastomer bearings lying in a horizontal di 15 rection, shown in section in a schematic, simplified illustration; Fig. 14 is the device for bridging an expansion joint, shown in section along line XIV-XIV of Fig. 13; 20 Fig. 15 is a simplified, schematic illustration of another embodiment of the device for bridging an expansion joint as illustrated in Fig. 8, shown in section from a side view. Firstly, it should be pointed out that same parts in the embodiments described 25 are shown by the same reference numbers and indicated by the same component names, so that disclosures made throughout the entire description can be trans posed in terms of meaning to same components with the same reference numbers and same component names. Furthermore, individual features from the different examples of embodiments illustrated may be regarded in their own right as solu 30 tions proposed by the invention.

-10 Fig. 1 illustrates a bridging device 1 for bridging an expansion joint 2 in a road way 3 between an abutment 4 and a framework 5 of a bridge 6. As illustrated in Fig. 1, this bridging device consists of the edge plates 7 ar 5 ranged on the framework 5 of the bridge 6 and on the abutment 4 of the roadway 3 and a centre and/or intermediate plate 8 arranged between these edge plates 7. This centre and/or intermediate plate 8 is mounted by means of bearing ar rangements 9 or elastomer bearings 10, as schematically indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 1, which are joined to the abutment 4 of the roadway 3 and the 10 framework 5 of the bridge 6 by means of the edge plates 7. The exact design of the bearing arrangements 9 and the elastomer bearings 10 will be discussed in more detail in the description of the remaining drawings given below. In some cases - as illustrated in Fig. 1 - it is not possible to arrange the expan 15 sion joint 2 perpendicular, i.e. at 900, to the roadway 3. In the situation where the plates run at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the roadway and a ve hicle travels over the expansion joint 2, not only is force applied in a vertical direction, a force is also exerted in a horizontal direction and in a longitudinal direction of the centre and/or intermediate plate 8 onto the bearing arrangements 20 9. This being the case, the bearing arrangement 9 must be able to bear loads run ning in a longitudinal direction of the plates in addition to a vertical direction. An angled layout of the expansion joint 2 and the centre and/or intermediate plate 8 might be possible - as illustrated in Fig. 1 - on roadways 3 running out from a mountain 11 or a tunnel 12 or on bending roadways 3, where the posi 25 tioning of the expansion joint 2 must be adapted to suit the natural environment. Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the structure of an elastomer bearing 10 and a bearing arrangement 9. 30 The elastomer bearing 10 consists of a bearing plate 13, an elastomer bearing body 14 and a connecting plate 15. The elastomer bearing body 14 has several -11 elastomer layers 18 arranged in the main direction of load - arrow 16 - on the elastomer bearing 10, at least partially separated from one another by means of reinforcing elements 17, ranging in thickness 19 between only 1% and 20%, preferably between 2 mm and 10 mm, of a width 20 running perpendicular 5 thereto. The width 20 of the reinforcing elements 17 is smaller than a width 21 of the elastomer bearing body 14, so that the reinforcing elements 17 can be en tirely surrounded by the elastomer bearing body 14 and embedded therein on all sides. The reinforcing elements 17 divide the elastomer bearing body 14 into several elastomer layers 18, a height 22 of the reinforcing elements 17 being 10 smaller than a thickness 23 of the elastomer layers 18 of the elastomer bearing body 14. The elastomer layers 18 between the reinforcing elements 17 are of a very flat design compared with their thickness 23 so as to produce a high vertical and low horizontal stiffness. As a result, high vertical forces acting on the elas tomer bearing 10 will produce low deformation. 15 The materials used for an elastomer bearing body 14 are preferably elastomers, natural rubbers, elastomer polychloroprene or ethylene propylene terpolymers. Terpolymers of this type exhibit a good ability to withstand chemicals and also have good resistance to weathering, ozone and ageing. Of the elastomers which 20 may be used, the preferred material is natural rubber since this natural rubber retains its good elastic properties even at low temperatures, such as occur under the load conditions which roadways normally have to withstand. It also has the advantage of producing a very good load transfer in the event of horizontal stress. It is also of advantage if the Shore hardness of the elastomer, in particular 25 of the elastomer layers 18 between the reinforcing elements 17, is between 50 Shore A and 90 Shore A, but preferably between 65 Shore A and 70 Shore A. With this specification, it will be possible to transfer higher vertical forces than is the case with the resilient elements used to date. 30 If the material proposed by the invention is used for the elastomer bearing body 14, it will be possible to vulcanise the bearing plate 13 onto the elastomer bear- -12 ing body 14 and the connecting plate 15 into the elastomer bearing body, which offers an advantageous means of joining the bearing plate and connecting plate 13, 15, since no other element will be needed to fix them to the elastomer bear ing body 14. In addition, the choice of material for the elastomer bearing body 5 14 and opting for a width 21 and a thickness 23 for the elastomer layers 18 will ensure that the elastomer layers 18 exhibit a higher degree of stiffness in the di rection of a longitudinal middle axis 24 than in a direction running perpendicular thereto. 10 As already described briefly above, reinforcing elements 17 are embedded in the elastomer bearing body 14 or enclosed thereby, which produces a higher stiffness of the elastomer bearing 10 if stress is applied in the direction of the longitudinal middle axis 24. These reinforcing elements 17 may be made from textiles, for example, such as webbing, knitted fabric, netting, lattice, fleece or any other fi 15 bre or thread-type materials made from metal, ceramic, natural or synthetic sub stances or any mixture of these materials. These reinforcing elements 17 are of a width 20 which is smaller by half a size 25 than a width 21 of the elastomer bearing body 14, as a result of which the reinforcing elements 17 are completely surrounded by the material of the elastomer bearing body 14. If metal materials 20 are used for the reinforcing elements 17, enclosing the reinforcing elements 17 will offer a particular advantage because this will prevent any contact of the re inforcing elements 17 with environmental fluids, thereby preventing any harmful corrosion of the reinforcing elements 17. The reinforcing elements 17 may also be arranged concentrically and centred with respect to the longitudinal middle 25 axis 24 of the elastomer bearing body 14. The design of the elastomer bearing 10 and the elastomer bearing body 14 pro posed by the invention offers a surprising advantage in that if a high degree of vertical stress occurs along the longitudinal middle axis 24 of the elastomer 30 bearing 10, only moderate deformation or only a slight spatial compaction oc curs, so that spread can be achieved at low construction heights. However, a -13 sufficiently high elasticity is still maintained perpendicular to the longitudinal middle axis 24, guaranteeing that a sufficient load will be transferred to the plane receiving the plates. The dimensions of the cross-section of the elastomer bear ing body 14 are such that if a load is applied perpendicular to the longitudinal 5 middle axis 24 and if the elastomer bearing body 14 is deflected sideways, there will be sufficient support for the centre and/or intermediate plate 8 relative to the vertical loads applied. Clearly, it would also be possible to use any design of cross-section for the 10 elastomer bearing 10 and the elastomer bearing body 14 in the direction of load, for example rectangular, squared or round, although a round design is of advan tage since the resistance to deformation will be the same, regardless of the di rection of displacement in the event of horizontal deformation. 15 The elastomer bearing body 14 is joined to end faces running parallel with the reinforcing elements 17, each having a bearing plate 13 and a connecting plate 15 formed thereon or therein, made from metal or plastics or a bonding material. The bearing plate 13 is attached, preferably vulcanised, to an end face 26 of the elastomer bearing body 14. This bearing plate 13 is of a length 27 and a width 20 28, the length 27 of the bearing plate corresponding at least to a construction height of the elastomer bearing body 14 extending between the bearing and con necting plates 13, 15 extending parallel with the reinforcing elements 17. Since the bearing plate 13 is designed to project beyond the cross-section of the elas tomer bearing body 14, the transition region between the elastomer bearing body 25 14 and the bearing plate 13 is provided with a rounded section 29 widening the cross-section of the elastomer bearing body 14, which will reduce any tension which might be applied in the transition region, thereby reducing the risk of the elastomer bearing body 14 coming loose due to stress from vibrations occurring during operation. 30 The connecting plate 15 is mounted or vulcanised onto the end region of the -14 elastomer bearing body 14 remote from the bearing plate 13 in such a way that the connecting plate 15 is completely embedded in the material of the elastomer bearing body 14, i.e. an underside 30 of the connecting plate 15 adjoins an end face 31 of the elastomer bearing body 14 in a flat surface. 5 This bearing plate 13 and the connecting plate 15, each running along the two end faces 26, 31 of the elastomer bearing body 14 parallel with the reinforcing elements, are made from metal or plastic or from a bonding material. Bores 32 to 36 are also provided in the bearing plate 13 and in the connecting plate 15 for 10 receiving fastening and/or adjusting means 37, in particular screws 38, it being possible for these bores 32 to 36 to be through-bores and, clearly, also having a thread 39. The number of bores in the bearing plate 13 and the connecting plate 15, which 15 are aligned parallel with the longitudinal middle axis 24, is preferably two since this will prevent the elastomer bearing 10 from turning and thereby prevent the screws 38 from inadvertently and undesirably coming loose due to vibrations during operation. 20 The bearing plate 13 and the connecting plate 15 are preferably screwed down with a screw having a conical countersunk head since horizontal vibratory stress during operation caused by traffic travelling across and the braking action of motor vehicles as well as even the slightest movements in the contact surface between the screw head and the bores 32 to 36 unavoidably give rise to a drop in 25 the friction coefficient and this will therefore enhance and improve the contact. If any other types of screw are used, whereby the contact surface between screw head and the bores 32 to 36 in the connecting plate 15 and the bearing plate 13 were left in a horizontal plane, such movements could lead to an undesirable loosening of the screw connection due to the unavoidable reduction in the fric 30 tion coefficient.

-15 Furthermore, the dimensions of the bearing plate 13 and a thickness 40 of the bearing plate 13 are such that the bearing plate 13 can be completely welded to another component, thereby producing an adequate dispersion of heat through the bearing plate 13 without the material of the elastomer bearing body 14 being 5 damaged by overheating. Figs. 4 to 6 illustrate the bridging device 1 for an expansion joint 2 in detail. As illustrated here, edge plates 7 are provided as wall bearing sections 41, which 10 are retained by means of anchoring elements 42 cast into structural components 43 in the framework 5 of the bridge 6 and in the abutment 4. Arranged between these wall bearing sections 41 is a centre and/or intermediate plate 8 which is supported by means of an elastomer bearing 10, described in detail with refer ence to the preceding drawings, on a retaining structure 44 which acts as a sup 15 porting element 45. A supporting element 45 of this type is provided as a com ponent 46 with a U-shaped cross-section for receiving the connecting plate 15 of the elastomer bearing 10. The component 46 is welded to the wall bearing sections 41 by means of its side 20 faces 47 facing the wall bearing sections 41 in order to ensure that the compo nent 46 is securely retained on the wall bearing section 41 and the centre and/or intermediate plate 8 is securely supported by means of the elastomer bearing 10. This combination has the advantage of providing a bearing arrangement 48 for the centre and/or intermediate plates 8 for bridging an expansion joint 2 between 25 the framework 5 and the abutment 4 of a bridge 6 using at least one centre and/or intermediate plate 8, which is supported by means of elastomer bearings 10 and supporting elements 45. This supporting function is made possible due to the fact that the centre and/or intermediate plate 8 can be joined in a fixed mounting by means of the elastomer bearing 10, which is welded to the centre 30 and/or intermediate plate 8, the supporting element 45 being welded to the wall bearing section 41. This is achieved due to the fact that the bearing plate 13 is -16 attached to the centre and/or intermediate plate 8 and the connecting plate 15 to the supporting element 45 by fixing and/or adjusting means 37 and screws 38. As can be seen from the illustration given in Fig. 4, the bearing plate 13 and the 5 connecting plate 15 are arranged concentrically with one another when the cen tre and/or intermediate plate 8 is in the neutral rest position and a longitudinal middle axis 49 of the centre and/or intermediate plate 8 also coincides with the longitudinal middle axis 24 of the elastomer bearing 10. As may also be seen, a surface 50 of the bearing plate 13 and a surface 51 of the connecting plate 15 is 10 aligned parallel with roadway part surfaces 52 of the centre and/or intermediate plate 8 and the surfaces 50, 51 of the bearing plate 13 and the connecting plate 15 of the elastomer bearing 10 are aligned perpendicular to a longitudinal middle axis 49 of the centre and/or intermediate plate 8. 15 As mentioned briefly above, the wall bearing sections 41 on which the support ing elements 45 are formed, preferably by welding, are retained in the structural component 43 by means of reinforcing elements 53 cast onto these wall bearing sections 41. Clearly, it would also be possible to attach the wall bearing sections 41 to the structural components 43 by means of any other fixing methods, such 20 as, for example, welding, screws, etc.. Furthermore, an external face 54 of the wall bearing sections 41 lies against an external face 55 of the structural compo nents 43 or is cast into these structural components 43 which provides optimum support for the supporting elements 45 welded onto the sides of the wall bearing sections 41 co-operating with the centre and/or intermediate plate 8. 25 This bearing arrangement 9 may also be designed so that the longitudinal middle axis 24 of the elastomer bearing 10 running in the main direction of load - along arrow 16 - is aligned parallel and, from a plan view, congruent with the longitu dinal middle axis 49 of the centre and/or intermediate plate 8 and is supported by 30 means of a bearing plate 13 on another centre and/or intermediate plate 8 and with the connecting plate 15 on another centre and/or intermediate plate 8 or a -18 cycle of an excitation frequency acting on the centre and/or intermediate plate 8. By arranging the elastomer bearings 10 in this way and as a result of fact that the two respective elastomer bearings 10 forming a pair are joined to the centre 5 and/or intermediate plates 8 and the wall bearing sections 41, pressure is applied to the latter alternately in the direction of displacement opposite the longitudinal direction of the plates. The elastomer bearings 10 are arranged underneath the centre and/or intermediate plate 8 and are joined to the centre and/or intermedi ate plate 8 by means of the bearing plate 13 whilst the connecting plate 15 of the 10 elastomer bearing is supported on the wall bearing section 41 by means of a sup porting element 45. If the distance 56 is too great and the bearing distance 58 is too long, self induced vibration frequencies can occur which are superimposed on the excita 15 tion frequencies and protracted stress on the retaining structures 44 and the elastomer bearings 10 can lead to fatigue rupturing. Consequently, the bearing distance 58 between two elastomer bearings 10 is less than 2 m, but preferably between 0.7 m and 1.3 m. 20 Another advantage of the bearing arrangement 48 is that it offers the possibility of retro-fitting one of these arrangements in a bridging device 1. Accordingly, fatigue rupturing in the retaining structure 44 of existing bridging devices 1 can be reliably avoided. In practice, if the elastomer bearings 10 are mounted at too great a bearing distance 58, the centre and/or intermediate plates 8 can be sub 25 jected to after-vibrations when load is applied, which reduce service life and which can bring the self-induced vibration frequencies dangerously close to the excitation frequencies if no vibration damping is provided. It is possible to ret rofit the elastomer bearings 10 regardless of the type of construction used for the existing bridging device 1 and this can be done at any time without destroy 30 ing the adjoining structural components 43 and without having to restrict traffic.

-19 Fig. 6 provides a clearer illustration of the retaining structure 44 and the sup porting element 45 for an elastomer bearing 10. The supporting element 45 here is provided as a metal component with a U-shaped cross-section, which is at tached to the respective wall bearing section 41, preferably being welded 5 thereto. The elastomer bearing 10 is joined, in the region of a front end 59 of the supporting element 45 with its U-shaped cross-section, to a base 60 thereof. This joint may be provided by any of the fixing methods appropriate for the applica tion but it is preferable to use screws as the fixing and/or adjusting means 37, for example. 10 The fixing system is provided by inserting fixing and/or adjusting means 37 through bores 34, 36 in the connecting plate 15 vulcanised onto the elastomer bearing body 14, which are screwed into bores 61 of the supporting element 45 running flush with the bores 34, 36 of the connecting plate 15. This screw fitting 15 is provided in the longitudinal direction of the plates by means of two fixing and/or adjusting means 37 spaced at a distance apart from one another so as to prevent any undesirable loosening or twisting of the elastomer bearing 10 which might otherwise be caused by vibration stress occurring during operation. 20 The bearing plate 13 vulcanised onto the elastomer bearing body 14 is fixed in a similar way, the fixing and/or adjusting means 37 being inserted through the bores 32, 33 of the bearing plate 13 and located in locating orifices 62 of a mid dle land 63 of the centre and/or intermediate plates 8. These locating orifices 62 are preferably provided in the form of blind bores 64. Arranging the locating 25 orifices 62 on the centre and/or intermediate plate 8 in the region of the middle land 63 reduces the effects of impact in the lower region of the centre and/or intermediate plate 8, particularly in the land thereof. The elastomer bearing 10 is attached to the centre and/or intermediate plate 8 in 30 such a way that the locating orifices 62 for the fixing and/or adjusting means 37 are arranged in a region which intersects the central land 63 and at least over- -20 laps the cross-section of the underside of the centre and/or intermediate plate 8 facing the elastomer bearing 10. As a result, the elastomer bearing 10 is joined to the centre and/or intermediate plate 8 by means of the two fixing and/or adjust ing means 37 inserted through the bearing plate 13 in the region of the middle 5 land 63 or in a region of the underside overlapping the middle land 63. Figs. 7 to 12 illustrate a bridging device 1 in an expansion joint 2 in a roadway 3 having two intermediate plates 65 and a centre plate 66 arranged between the two wall bearing sections 41. Also illustrated are the bearing arrangements 9 co 10 operating with the intermediate plates 65 and centre plates 66. Again, the two bearing arrangements 9 are spaced apart from one another by the bearing distance 58 proposed by the invention, which is less than 2 m, preferably between 0.7 and 1.3 m, one bearing arrangement 9 being designed to support 15 and transfer the load of the two intermediate plates 65 and another bearing ar rangement 9 being designed to support or transfer the load of the centre plate 66. The bearing arrangement 9 for the intermediate plates 65 is of the same de sign as the bearing arrangement illustrated in Fig. 6 and reference should be made to this part of the description for details of its construction. 20 The other bearing arrangement 9 for the intermediate plate 66 is constructed as follows. On undersides of the intermediate plates 65 are retaining sections 67 which are permanently joined, preventing movement, to the undersides of the intermediate plates 65, preferably welded thereto, a longitudinal axis of the re 25 taining section 67 being arranged flush with or coinciding with a central axis 68 running in a longitudinal direction of the intermediate plate 65. Inserted in this retaining section 67 and supported on the retaining section 67 by means of an elastomer bearing 10 is a cross member 69 running perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 57 and which is also supported on the other intermediate plate 30 65, again by an elastomer bearing 10 supported on the retaining profile 67. Again, the bearing distance 58 between two elastomer bearings 10 is that pro- -21 posed by the invention, being less than 2 m, but preferably between 0.7 m and 1.3 m. In the region of the centre plate 66, the cross member 69 is immovably joined to 5 the centre plate 66 by means of a contact surface 70, in particular being welded thereto, so that the vertical load on the centre plate 66 can be transferred by means of the elastomer bearing 10 inserted in the retaining sections 67. In order to ensure that a load can be transferred uniformly perpendicular to the 10 central longitudinal axis 57, it is of advantage if two each of the different bearing arrangements 9 or a multiple of two are arranged along the longitudinal exten sion of the intermediate plates 65 and the centre plate 66. Laying the bearing arrangements 9 out in this way will also ensure that the intermediate plates 65 and the centre plate 66 remain parallel even if the gap width 71 of the expansion 15 joint 2 is subjected to changes. In Figs. 8 and 9, which will be described together, support for the intermediate plates 65 is provided by means of the supporting element 45 on the wall bearing section 41. 20 To this end, it should be pointed out that the abutment 4 is designed as the sta tionary structural component 43 and the framework 5 of the bridge 6 as the bearing structural component 43 which can be adjusted in the direction of the double-headed arrow 72 due to temperature fluctuations. The intermediate plates 25 65 and the centre plates 66 and the elastomer bearings 10 are arranged in such a way that the longitudinal middle axes 24 of the elastomer bearings 10 and the longitudinal middle axes 49 of the intermediate plates 65 and the centre plates 66 run parallel and congruent with one another. 30 When the bridging device 1 and the intermediate plates 65 and the centre plate 66 are in this position, the transfer of load with the elastomer bearings 10 rein- -22 forced by the reinforcing elements 17 is at its highest in the main direction of load - along arrow 16. This is due to the fact that when the elastomer bearing 10 is in this position, the width 21 of the elastomer bearing body 14 is the same as a width 73 of a bearing surface 74 running perpendicular to the longitudinal middle 5 axis 24 of the elastomer bearing 10. This is achieved due to the fact that the cross-section of the bearing surface 74 in this position corresponds to the cross-section of the elastomer bearing body 14 and is therefore capable of absorbing the highest possible stress in the main 10 direction of load - along arrow 16. In the position described here, the expansion joint 2 has a gap width 71 and, as a result of the uniform transfer of load pro duced by the bearing arrangements 9, the centre plate 66 and the intermediate plates 65 are at a same plate distance 75 end-to-end. 15 In order to demonstrate what happens to the elastomer bearing 10 proposed by the invention in terms of deformation as well as the displacement of the centre and intermediate plates 8, 66; 65 under the effect of load, Fig. 8 provides a schematic illustration of the deformation and displacement of the individual plates under load. 20 At a temperature corresponding to the calculated ground temperature, the inter mediate plate 66 and the centre plates 65 are at a pre-calculated plate distance 75. 25 This plate distance 75 is dimensioned so that the maximum capacity of the elas tomer bearing 10 to deform perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof, i.e. in a radial direction, is sufficient to compensate for the difference in the ex pansions of the framework 5 relative to the abutment 4 between the maximum highest temperature and the maximum minimum temperature. This means that the 30 sum of the plate distances 75 must be of a size such that, if the framework 5 is subjected to maximum expansion, provided bearing arrangements 9 of the same -23 type are provided at both ends of the framework 5, this size is the same as or greater than half the maximum total change in length of the framework 5. The same applies to a contraction in the overall length of the framework 5 at 5 extremely low temperatures, in which case the layout must take account of the fact that at the annual average temperature, the position illustrated in Fig. 8 is maintained whereas at temperatures higher than the annual average temperature, the position of the individual plates will be that shown in Fig. 9, in other words the length of the framework 5 has expanded. If the framework 5 of the bridge 6 10 is shorter due to lower temperatures below the average value, the elastomer bearings 10 will be deformed to assume a position relative to the central longitu dinal axis 49 of the centre plate 66 that is opposite to that shown in Fig. 9 in spatial terms. 15 If, for example, a bearing arrangement 9 is subjected to the travel of a wheel 102 of a motor vehicle, it and its elastomer bearings 10 will have to cope with and simultaneously damp additional deflections caused by a change in the plate dis tance 75 occurring in the main direction of load - along arrow 16 - so that the impact and vibration stress acting on the abutment 4 and the framework 5 will be 20 as low as possible. In order to provide a clearer understanding, only one wheel 102 is illustrated, the diameter of which is selected so that it lies respectively on only one of the centre and intermediate plates 66, 65. Due to the vertical load applied via the 25 wheel 102, the elastomer bearing 10 will now be placed under strain and will compact in a longitudinal direction of the longitudinal middle axis 49, thereby sinking relative to the adjacent centre plate 66 and the wall bearing section 41. This being the case, the load acts like a load wave since the wheel 102 is initially 30 gradually supported on the intermediate plate 65 as it draws near it from the wall bearing section 41 so that a constantly increasing proportion of the vertical load -24 is borne by this centre plate 66 and the load on the wall bearing section 41 de creases accordingly to the same degree. If the full vertical load - along arrow 16 - is now borne by the intermediate plate 65 and the wheel 102 moves farther in the direction of the centre plate 66, it then starts to be partially supported on the 5 centre plate 66 so that the elastomer bearing 10 supporting this centre plate 66 becomes increasingly compressed as the load constantly increases until the load on the centre plate 66 and the intermediate plate 65 becomes more or less the same and the two assume the same height or are subjected to a same degree of lowering 103. If the vertical main load in the direction of arrow 16 on the centre 10 plate 66 increases constantly, it will then sink farther whilst the intermediate plate 65 previously taking the load will rise back to its rest position shown by the solid lines. As the load progresses farther and the wheel 102 continues to turn, the same 15 shift in load will occur between the centre plate 66 and the other intermediate plate 65 in the direction of the abutment 4. Simultaneously, a damping effect can be produced between the framework 5 and the abutment 4 due to the radial deformation of the elastomer bearing 10 so that 20 vibrations of the framework 5 can not be carried through to the abutment 4. Vibrations of this type can occur due to traffic load, passing vehicles and similar and can be additionally damped by the radial deformation of the elastomer bear ing 10. 25 In this case, account has to be taken of the fact that the onset of the vertical forces will only occur in a narrow partial region across the length of the centre and intermediate plates 8, 66; 65. What this means is that the current vertical load initiated in a narrow partial region of the length of these plates continues on through the other elastomer bearing 10 in the longitudinal direction of the plate 30 as a vibration. Since the vibrations that will be introduced by the main loads, such as traction from trucks or passenger vehicles at high speeds or traction de- -25 termined by the lane width and axle distance, and since the vibrations that will occur as a result are known in principle, care should be taken to ensure that the distance between the individual elastomer bearings 10 in the longitudinal direc tion of the centre and intermediate plates 8, 66; 65 is such that these centre and 5 intermediate plates 8, 66; 65 will not be subjected to resonance vibration within their standard vibration behaviour. As a result of the design of the elastomer bearing 10 proposed by the invention, the occurrence of resonance vibrations will be prevented on the one hand by 10 means of the reinforcing elements 17 and on the other by the bearing distance 58, i.e. the distance between elastomer bearings 10 assigned to the same respec tive plates and supporting the other respective same plates or the wall bearing section 41, this distance being less than the frequency of the vibrations, as ex plained in more detail above, for example. 15 Fig. 9 illustrates the position of the elastomer bearing 10 and the plates when the gap width 71 becomes narrower due to temperature fluctuations. If the bridge 6 widens in its longitudinal extension due to an increase in tem 20 perature, the gap width 71 will become narrower and the wall bearing section 41 attached to the framework 5 will move closer to the wall bearing section 41 ar ranged on the abutment 4. Due to this compression of the bridging device 1, the intermediate plates 65 and the centre plate 66 move uniformly closer to one an other, so that the plate distances 75 will continue to be of the same length. This 25 uniform reduction of the plate distances 75 is made possible by the design and layout of the elastomer bearings 10 and the bearing arrangements 9. The inter mediate plate 66 is supported by means of the cross member 69 - as will be de scribed in more detail with reference to the following drawings - via elastomer bearings 10 and the retaining sections 67 on the intermediate plates 65. 30 As a result of this reduction in the gap width 71, the elastomer bearings 10 are -26 also deformed in a horizontal direction so that the longitudinal middle axis 24, which will then run at an angle in the direction of the wall bearing section 41, will subtend an angle 76 with the longitudinal middle axis 49 of the intermediate plates 65. The smaller the gap width 71 of the expansion joint 2 due to the heat 5 expansion of the framework 5, the greater will be the angle 76 between the lon gitudinal middle axis 24 of the elastomer bearing 10 and the longitudinal middle axis 49 of the intermediate plates 65. This arrangement of the elastomer bearing 10 is made possible by the design proposed by the invention since the elastomer bearing 10 is provided with reinforcing elements 17 and therefore has a high 10 load-bearing capacity in the main direction of load - along arrow 16 - whilst nev ertheless having a sufficient degree of elasticity in a horizontal direction to be able to absorb deformations of this type without rupturing. The deflection and the oblique position assumed by the elastomer bearing 10 15 when subjected to horizontal stress causes a reduction in the width of the bear ing surface 74 as viewed in a vertical direction. As a result, a width 21 of the elastomer layers 18 and/or the reinforcing elements 17, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal middle axis 24 of the elastomer bearing 10, must be greater than the width 21 of the elastomer bearing body 14 calculated on the basis of the 20 bearing surface 74 needed to absorb the maximum bearing load by a maximum adjustment length between the bearing and/or connecting plates 13, 15 in a plane containing the longitudinal middle axis. Furthermore, an overlap surface be tween the end faces 26, 31 of the elastomer bearing body 14, if the plane re ceiving the longitudinal middle axis 24 thereof is shifted, facing the bearing 25 and/or connecting plates 13, 15 must overlap with the bearing and/or connecting plates 13, 15 in a direction viewed parallel with a longitudinal middle axis 24 by an overlap surface or bearing surface 74 corresponding to the cross-section face of the elastomer bearing body 14 capable of absorbing the maximum bearing load in the main direction of load - along arrow 16. 30 Moreover, construction heights of the elastomer bearings 10 should be kept as -27 low as possible so that the elastomer bearing body 14 fitted with the reinforcing elements 17 will be prevented from buckling if the elastomer bearing 10 is de flected and there is a high vertical load. In this geometric state, the structure of the elastomer bearing 10 ensures that the highest possible stress occurring in the .5 main direction of load - along arrow 16 - can be transferred by means of the re maining bearing surface 74. Figs. 10 and 11, which will be described together, illustrate the bearing arrange ment 9 for a centre plate 66. 10 From a side view, the cross member 69 supporting the centre plate 66 has a tri angular cross-section, a land 77 being formed at each side in the end regions facing away from the centre plate 66 so that when viewed from the end, the cross member 69 corresponds to a cross-section of an upside-down T. In the 15 region facing the centre plate 66, the cross member 69 forms the contact surface 70 by means of which it is immovably joined to the underside 78 of the centre plate 66, being welded thereto in particular. Consequently, the centre plate 66 is fixed to the cross member 69 in a force fit or positive fit and is supported on the intermediate plates 65 adjacent thereto at each side by means of other elastomer 20 bearings 10 in retaining sections 67 joined to the intermediate plates 65. In the two end regions of the cross member 69 facing away from the longitudinal middle axis 49 of the centre plate 66, the lands 77 have bores 79 overlapping flush with the bores 32, 33 of the bearing plate 13 of the elastomer bearing 10 so 25 that the cross member 69 can be joined in an immobile connection to the bearing plates 13 of the elastomer bearing 10 by fixing means 80. This fitting is prefera bly provided by screw fixtures since this will provide a connection that is pre vented from moving but one which can be detached if necessary. 30 The connecting plates 15 of the elastomer bearing 10 are immovably secured by fixing and/or adjusting means 37 to the retaining section 67, the specific method -28 of fixing the elastomer bearing 10 to the retaining section 67 being discussed in more detail with reference to Fig. 12 below. Accordingly, the elastomer bearing 10 is joined to the intermediate plate 65 by 5 the two fixing means 80 inserted through the bearing plate 13 in the region of the land 77 of the cross member 69 via a retaining section 67. In addition, in or der to support the centre plate 66 on two immediately adjacent intermediate plates 65 lying respectively on either side thereof, the elastomer bearings 10 are arranged in a plane running perpendicular to the longitudinal middle axis 49 of 10 the plates . If the gap width 71 here is reduced, the plate distances 75 will be reduced uni formly and the elastomer bearing 10 and the elastomer bearing body 14 will be deflected due to the horizontal stress acting on the bearing arrangements 9. The 15 design of the bearing arrangement 9 will not only ensure that the vertical load on the bridging device 1 caused by crossing vehicles is spread, it will also simulta neously ensure that the centre plate 66 and the intermediate plates 65 are uni formly distributed across the expansion joint 2 in order to bridge the joint. To this end, it is also possible to keep the plate distances 75 between the individual 20 centre plates 66 and the intermediate plates 65 uniform when the structural com ponents 43 are subjected to differing states of expansion. It should also be mentioned at this point that due to the layout of the elastomer bearing 10, the elasticities can be readily adjusted to the loads which occur in the 25 different spatial directions, thereby still ensuring a high load transfer via the elastomer bearing 10 so that the requisite spread can be produced even at higher loads and using a small number of elastomer bearings 10 to support the centre plate 66 and the intermediate plates 65. The deformation characteristic of the elastomer bearing 10 in a direction of the longitudinal middle axis 24 and the 30 main direction of load - along arrow 16 - is lower than in the direction perpen dicular to the main direction of load - along arrow 16 - although the small thick- -29 ness 19 of the reinforcing elements 17 means that a larger number thereof can be provided so as nevertheless to produce an adequate capacity for displacement or deformation of the elastomer bearing 10 in the transverse direction adapted to the exact positioning of the individual plates. 5 Fig. 12 illustrates a bearing device 81 in the form of the retaining section 67 for mounting the cross member 69 bearing the centre plate 66 with a proven elas tomer bearing 10 interposed between. 10 The retaining section 67, which is preferably made from metal, is of a U-shaped design, the legs 82 of the retaining section 67 and its front end faces 83 being immovably joined to the underside 78 of an intermediate plate 65, preferably welded thereto. These two legs 82 are joined by a base 84 running perpendicular thereto. Corner regions 85 of the retaining section 67 between the base 84 and 15 the legs are rounded off by radii 86 in order to assist in preventing the effect of impact that would cause rupturing in these regions. The base 84 also has bores 87, 88 matching the bores 34, 36 of the connecting plate 15 of the elastomer bearing 10 by means of which the elastomer bearing 10 20 and the connecting plate 15 of the elastomer bearing 10 can be attached to the base 84 of the retaining section 67 by means of fixing and/or adjusting means 37. The elastomer bearing 10 with its reinforcing elements 17, schematically illus trated, enclosed in the elastomer bearing body 14 extends in the direction of the front end faces 83 as far as the bearing plate 13, which comes to bear on a land 25 77 of the cross member 69, being congruent therewith. This land 77 is immova bly connected by means of fixing means 80 inserted in bores 89, 90 in the land 77 matching the bores 32, 33 of the bearing plate 13. By preference, the fixing elements 80 are screws so as to produce a secure connection which can be de tached in case of need. The cross member 69 also has a land 91 extending in the 30 direction of the centre plate 66 and which - as briefly described above - is im movably connected to the centre plate 66 by a contact surface 70, preferably by -30 welding. The design of the retaining section 67 proposed by the invention has a surprising advantage in that the retaining section 67 ensures that the elastomer bearing 10 5 is prevented from breaking. If a fault in the material of the elastomer bearing body 14 or other detrimental influences cause a rupture in the elastomer bearing 10, the retaining section 67 is designed to act as a catchment cage so that an un derside 92 of the cross member 69 and the land 77 come to sit on a top face 93 of the base 84 of the retaining section 67. Due to the design of this bearing ar 10 rangement 9 proposed by the invention, the bridging device 1 can be left in service until the requisite repair and maintenance work is carried out. Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate another embodiment of the bridging device 1 shown in a plan view in section and from a side view in section. 15 In this case, the elastomer bearings 10 are arranged in a laid-out position, i.e. the longitudinal middle axes 24 of the elastomer bearings 10 extend parallel with the central axes of the centre plate 66 and the intermediate plates 65. The elastomer bearings 10 are arranged underneath the centre plate 66 and the intermediate 20 plates 65 and are joined to a supporting member 94 by means of fixing and/or adjusting means 37, in particular screws 38. This supporting member 94 is welded onto or integrally formed on the underside 78 of the centre plate 66 and the intermediate plates 65, extending perpendicular to the longitudinal middle axis 24 in a direction opposite the plates. 25 The bearing plate 13 of an elastomer bearing 10 is attached to an end face 95 of the supporting member 94 by fixing means 37, preferably screws 38. A support ing arm 97 is also provided on the end face 96 of the supporting member 94 ly ing opposite the end face 95. This supporting arm 97 provides a connection for 30 two elastomer bearings 10 and extends perpendicular to the central axes 68. This supporting arm 97 is preferably made from a very high-strength material such as -31 metal, for example. In addition, a peripheral supporting arm 98 is arranged on the connecting plate 15 of the elastomer bearing 10 which is also joined thereto by means of fixing and/or adjusting means 37, in particular screws 38. This pe ripheral supporting arm 98 extends from the connecting plate 15 of the elastomer 5 bearing 10 in the direction of the wall bearing section 41 and is immovably joined thereto, in particular by welding. Due to the fact that the peripheral sup porting arm 98 is immovably joined to the wall bearing section 41, sufficient support can be provided for this bearing arrangement 9 in the longitudinal direc tion of the roadway. 10 At an end region facing away from the supporting member 94, the supporting arm 97 is in turn connected by fixing and/or adjusting means 37 to the connect ing plate 15 of the subsequent elastomer bearing 10 arranged on the centre plate 66. 15 The design of the bearing arrangement 9 arranged on the other wall bearing sec tion 41 is a mirror image of the first bearing arrangement 9 relative to the centre axis 68 of the centre plate 66 and a transverse axis 99 extending in the longitudi nal direction of the roadway. 20 Using this particular layout of the elastomer bearings 10 in a laid-out position enables horizontal loads to be transferred in the longitudinal direction of the plates instead of vertical loads. Consequently, bearing arrangements 9 with only vertically aligned elastomer bearings 10 or only horizontally aligned elastomer 25 bearings 10 may be provided in any one bridging device 1. Clearly, it would also be possible to use a combination of different bearing arrangements 9, depending on the different types of load. If travel over the roadway crossings is at an incline and at an incline relative to 30 the longitudinal direction of the roadway, the direction of travel and hence the direction of braking forces is not at a right-angle to the plates and travel and -32 braking will give rise to a horizontal load component acting in the longitudinal direction of the plates. It is therefore expedient to arrange an elastomer bearing 10 in a laid-out position at some point on each centre plate 66 and intermediate plate 65 in order to prevent undesirable horizontal displacements of the plates. 5 The elastomer bearings 10 will be laid out so that their direction of displacement coincides with the direction of displacement of the centre plate 66 and the inter mediate plates 65 and any vertical loads will give rise to a thrust deformation. Moreover, the bridging device 1 is so designed that the elastomer bearings 10 10 are arranged underneath the centre plate 66 and are joined to the intermediate plates 65 via a supporting member 94 integral therewith in displacement by means of the bearing plate 13 and the connecting plate 15 and the other bearing plate 13 of the elastomer bearing 10 is supported via a supporting arm 97 and a peripheral supporting arm 98 on the adjacent intermediate plate 65 or the wall 15 bearing section 41. In addition, the elastomer bearings 10 are joined to the wall bearing section 41 by a centrally arranged centre plate 66 by means of the inter mediate plate 65 arranged between it and the wall bearing section 41 and the other elastomer bearing 10 is joined by means of the intermediate plate 65 ar ranged between it and the other wall bearing section 41 to the other wall bearing 20 section 41 and is supported thereon. The elastomer bearings 10 are also arranged adjacent to one another between the centre plate 66 and an intermediate plate 65 or different intermediate plates 65 or the intermediate plate 65 and the wall bearing section 41 respectively in the direction of the centre axes 68 of the plates. A distance 100 between two centre axes 68 of a centre plate 66 and an 25 intermediate plate 65 will also be the same size as a distance 101 between a lon gitudinal middle axis 24 of an elastomer bearing 10 co-operating with the centre plate 66 and the longitudinal middle axis 24 of an elastomer bearing 10 co operating with an intermediate plate 65. 30 Fig. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the bearing arrangements 9 for an in termediate plate 66 and two of these intermediate plates 65 arranged adjacent to -33 this centre plate 66. This drawing is similar to that of Fig. 10 in which the centre plate 66 is not sup ported on the intermediate plates 65 by the cross member 60. It should also be 5 pointed out in this case that the intermediate plates 65 adjacent to the wall bearing sections 41 are supported in the same way as illustrated in Fig. 8. In this embodiment, the underside 78 of the centre plate 66 is also attached to an elastomer bearing 10 by fixing and/or adjusting means 37. The elastomer bear 10 ings 10 attached to the centre plate 66 are in turn joined by their connecting plate 15 to the base 60 of the supporting element 45 by fixing and/or adjusting means 37. The supporting element 45 shown here is the same as or similar to that illus 15 trated in Fig. 4, being a component with a U-shaped cross-section, preferably made from metal. For the sake of avoiding unnecessary repetition, reference should be made to Fig. 6 for a more detailed illustration of how the elastomer bearings 10 are secured to the supporting elements 45. 20 The supporting elements 45 in this embodiment are immovably joined to the front edges 104 of the legs of the U-section facing the intermediate plates 65 by the undersides 78 thereof, preferably by welding. The intermediate plates 65 are again mounted on elastomer bearings 10 which are joined to supporting elements 45. These supporting elements 45 co-operating with the intermediate plates 65 25 are in turn joined by casting to the wall bearing sections 41 on the abutment 4 and the framework 5, preferably by welding, as can be seen more readily from Fig. 8. With this design of bridging device 1 proposed by the invention for an expansion 30 joint 2, every centre plate 66 and intermediate plate 65 is assigned several elas tomer bearings 10 spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the plates, the num- -34 ber of which provided for each plate must be at least two or a multiple of two. The advantage compared with the bearing arrangements 9 illustrated in Fig. 8 is that each plate is assigned elastomer bearings 10 so that it will be possible to have a higher gap width 71 of the expansion joint 2 in the longitudinal direction 5 of the roadway as compared with the embodiment described above. This advan tageous design of the bridging device 1 means that even at higher gap widths 71, the plates can be uniformly positioned in the longitudinal direction of the road way, which means that the plate distances 75 between individual plates can also be guaranteed to remain constant. 10 Using supporting elements 45 to support the centre plate 66 relative to the in termediate plates 65 of the same design as the supporting elements 45 used to support the intermediate plates 65 on the wall bearing sections 41 means that the number of components needed to assemble the bridging device 1 can be reduced, 15 providing a more cost-effective embodiment of the bridging device L In principle, it should be pointed out that each plate is supported on each adja cent plate or the wall bearing section 41 by means of at least two or any multiple of two elastomer bearings 10. Furthermore, the elastomer bearings 10 and the 20 bearing arrangements 9 are spaced apart from one another between the centre plate 66 and an intermediate plate 65 or different intermediate plates 65 or the intermediate plate 65 and the wall bearing section 41 in the direction of the cen tral axis 68 of the plates, alternately in succession. This advantageous layout will ensure that the plates are displaced uniformly in the gap width 71 and in a paral 25 lel arrangement. Finally, it should be pointed out that individual components of the embodiments described are not illustrated to scale or have been enlarged in order to provide a clearer understanding of the solution proposed by the invention. Individual com 30 ponents of the combinations of features described above in respect of individual embodiments may be used in conjunction with other individual features from -35 other examples of embodiments, independently, to provide the solutions pro posed by the invention. Above all, the individual embodiments illustrated in figs. 1; 2, 3; 4, 5, 6; 7; 8, 9; 5 10, 11; 12; 13, 14; 15 may be regarded as the subject-matter of independent so lutions proposed by the invention. The objectives and solutions put forward by the invention can be taken from the detailed descriptions of these drawings. 10 15 20 25 30 -36 List of reference numbers 1 Bridging device 41 Wall bearing section 5 2 Expansion joint 42 Anchoring element 3 Roadway 43 Structural component 4 Abutment 44 Retaining structure 5 Framework 45 Supporting element 6 Bridge 46 Component 10 7 Edge plate 47 Side face 8 Centre and/or intermediate plate 48 Bearing arrangement 9 Bearing arrangement 49 Longitudinal middle axis 10 Elastomer bearing 50 Surface 11 Mountain 51 Surface 15 12 Tunnel 52 Roadway part surface 13 Bearing plate 53 Reinforcing element 14 Elastomer bearing body 54 External face 15 Connecting plate 55 External face 16 Arrow 56 Distance 20 17 Reinforcing element 57 Central longitudinal axis 18 Elastomer layers 58 Bearing distance 19 Thickness 59 Front end 20 Width 60 Base 21 Width 61 Bore 25 22 Height 62 Locating orifice 23 Thickness 63 Middle land 24 Longitudinal middle axis 64 Blind bore 25 Size 65 Intermediate plate 26 End face 66 Centre plate 30 27 Length 67 Retaining section 28 Width 68 Central axis 29 Rounded section 69 Cross beam 30 Underside 70 Contact surface 31 End face 71 Gap width 35 32 Bore 72 Double-headed arrow 33 Bore 73 Width 34 Bore 74 Bearing surface 35 Bore 75 Plate distance 36 Bore 76 Angle 40 37 Fixing and/or adjusting means 77 Land 38 Screw 78 Underside 39 Thread 79 Bore 40 Thickness 80 Fixing means -37 81 Bearing device 82 Leg 83 Front end face 84 Base 5 85 Corner region 86 Radius 87 Bore 88 Bore 89 Bore 10 90 Bore 91 Land 92 Underside 93 Top face 94 Supporting member 15 95 End face 96 End face 97 Supporting arm 98 Peripheral supporting arm 99 Transverse axis 20 100 Distance 101 Distance 102 Wheel 103 Lowering 104 End face 25 30 35 40 45

Claims

1. An elastomer bearing of a bearing arrangement for plates of an expansion joint in a roadway, in particular on bridges having an elastomer element, char 5 acterised in that several elastomer layers (18) at least partially separated from one another by reinforcing elements (17) are arranged in a main direction of load of an elastomer bearing (10), the thickness (23) thereof being between only 1% and 20%, preferably between 2 mm and 10 mm, of the width running perpen dicular thereto. 10

2. An elastomer bearing as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that a height (22) of the reinforcing elements (17) is smaller than the thickness (23) of the elastomer layers (18). 15

3. An elastomer bearing as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the respective two end faces (26, 31) of an elastomer bearing body (14) running par allel with the reinforcing elements (17) is joined to an on-formed or embedded bearing plate (13) and a connecting plate (15) made from metal or plastics or a bonding material. 20

4. An elastomer bearing as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bearing plate (13) and the connecting plate (15) are provided with bores (32 to 36) for receiving fixing and/or adjusting means (37), in particular screws (38). 25

5. An elastomer bearing as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting plate (15) and/or a reinforcing element (17) is surrounded by the elastomer forming the elastomer layers (18) or is embedded therein. 30

6. An elastomer bearing as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, -39 characterised in that one of the connecting plates (15) is formed by a bearing plate (13) projecting beyond the external circumference of a part receiving the reinforcing elements (17) and the projecting parts of the bearing plate (13) are joined to one of the elastomer layers (18) by means of a rounded section. 5

7. An elastomer bearing as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the reinforcing elements (17) are made from textiles such as webbing, knitted fabric, netting, lattice, fleece or any other fibre or thread-type materials made from metal, ceramic, natural or synthetic substances or any mix 10 ture of these materials.

8. An elastomer bearing as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the reinforcing elements (17) are concentrically and cen trally arranged relative to a central longitudinal middle axis (24). 15

9. An elastomer bearing as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the elastomer layers (18) have a higher stiffness in the lon gitudinal direction of the longitudinal middle axis (24) than in the direction per pendicular thereto. 20

10. An elastomer bearing as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the elastomer is rubber, in particular natural rubber.

11. An elastomer bearing as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, 25 characterised in that the Shore hardness of the elastomer, in particular the elas tomer layers (18) between the reinforcing elements (17), is between 50 Shore A and 90 Shore A, preferably between 65 Shore A and 70 Shore A.

12. An elastomer bearing as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, 30 characterised in that the elastomer layer (18) is vulcanised onto a bearing and connecting plate (13, 15) and/or a reinforcing element (17). -40

13. An elastomer bearing as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a bearing and connecting plate (13, 15) and/or a reinforcing element (17) is vulcanised into the elastomer layer (18). 5

14. An elastomer bearing as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dimension of the connecting plate (15) corresponds to at least a construction height of the elastomer bearing body (14) running perpen dicular to the bearing elements (17) between the bearing and connecting plates (13, 15). 10

15. An elastomer bearing as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a mass of the bearing plate (13) and a distance between the elastomer bearing body (14) and a weld region are provided for dispersing a quantity of heat to produce a surface temperature of the bearing plate (13) of 15 less than 120*C in the bonded region of the elastomer layers (18).

16. An elastomer bearing as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that several, preferably two, bores (32 to 36) in particular hav ing a thread (39) are provided in the bearing plate and connecting plate (13, 15) 20 perpendicular to the reinforcing elements (17).

17. An elastomer bearing as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that several bores (32 to 36), preferably having a thread (39), are arranged in the region of the bearing plate (13) and the connecting plate 25 (15), being received therein or passing therethrough, for fixing and/or adjusting means (37), in particular screws (38), which are aligned perpendicular to the reinforcing elements (17).

18. A bearing arrangement for plates as a means of bridging an expansion 30 joint between two components, in particular of the roadway on bridges, having at least a central plate supported on the structural components by means of -41 elastomer elements, characterised in that the elastomer elements are elastomer bearings (10) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A bearing arrangement as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that a 5 centre and/or intermediate plate (8, 66; 65) is supported by means of the elas tomer bearing (10) on a supporting element (45) secured to a wall bearing sec tion (41) and/or structural component (43) or an intermediate plate (65).

20. A bearing arrangement as claimed in claims 18 or 19, characterised in that 10 each plate is supported on each adjacent plate or the wall bearing section (41) by means of at least two or any multiple of two elastomer bearings (10).

21. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that each plate co-operates with at least two or any multiple of 15 two elastomer bearings (10) and the two elastomer bearings (10) respectively forming a pair are joined to the centre and/or intermediate plates (8, 66; 65) and the wall bearing sections (41) in such a way that pressure is applied to them al ternately in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction of the plates. 20

22. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting plate (15) and the bearing plate (13) are ar ranged concentrically with one another when the plates are in the neutral rest position. 25

23. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that surfaces of the connecting and bearing plates (15, 13) of the elastomer bearings (10) are aligned parallel with the roadway part surfaces (52) of the plates. 30

24. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that surfaces (50, 51) of the connecting and bearing plates -42 (15, 13) of the elastomer bearings (10) are aligned perpendicular to the longitu dinal middle axis (49) of the plates.

25. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, 5 characterised in that the wall bearing section (41) and/or the supporting element (45) is anchored in the structural component (43) or is retained in reinforcing elements (53) cast therein by means of fixing elements, for example a weld seam or screws. 10

26. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the longitudinal middle axis (24) of the elastomer bearing (10) running in the main direction of load - along arrow (16) - is aligned parallel and, in a plan view, congruent with the longitudinal middle axis (49) of the cen tre and/or intermediate plate (8) and is supported on the wall bearing section 15 (41) by means of a bearing plate (13) with a centre and/or intermediate plate (8) and with the connecting plate (15) with another plate or a supporting element (45).

27. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, 20 characterised in that a bearing distance (58) of the elastomer bearings (10) sup porting the centre and/or intermediate plate (8, 66; 65) in the longitudinal direc tion of the centre and/or intermediate plates (8, 66; 65) is less than a cycle of a vibration induced by an excitation frequency acting on the centre and/or inter mediate plate (8, 66; 65). 25

28. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a bearing distance (58) of the elastomer bearings (10) sup porting the centre and/or intermediate plate (8, 66; 65) in the longitudinal direc tion of the centre and/or intermediate plates (8, 66; 65) is less than twice the 30 cycle of a vibration induced by an excitation frequency acting on the centre and or intermediate plate (8, 66; 65) and that a damping device preferably in the -43 form of another elastomer bearing (10) is arranged between the two elastomer bearings (10) in the form of another elastomer bearing (10).

29. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, 5 characterised in that a bearing distance (58) between two elastomer bearings (10) or an elastomer bearing (10) and a damping device is less than 2m, prefera bly smaller than 1.7 m.

30. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, 10 characterised in that the bearing distance (58) between two elastomer bearings (10) or an elastomer bearing (10) and a damping device is between 1.3 m and 0.7 m.

31. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, 15 characterised in that a supporting element (45) of a wall bearing section (41) is provided to support a structural component (43) at an end face (47).

32. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the wall bearing section (41) is retained by means of an an 20 choring element (42) joined integrally therewith, preferably inserted in the structural component (43).

33. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the supporting element (45) is at least one component hav 25 ing a U-shaped cross-section, which is joined to the elastomer bearing (10) in the region of the front ends (59) of the legs and to the wall bearing section (41) in the region of the end face (47).

34. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, 30 characterised in that a locating orifice (62) for the fixing and/or adjusting means (37) of the elastomer bearing (10) is arranged in a middle land (62) of the centre -44 and/or intermediate plate (8).

35. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locating orifices (62) for the fixing and/or adjusting 5 means (37) are arranged in a cross-section region of the underside (78) of the centre and/or intermediate plate (8, 66; 65) facing the elastomer bearing (10) intersecting and at least overlapping the middle land (63).

36. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, 10 characterised in that the elastomer bearings (10) are joined to the centre and/or intermediate plate (8, 66; 65) by means of the two fixing and/or adjusting means (37) inserted through the bearing plate (13) in the region of the middle land (63) or in a region of the underside (78) overlapping the middle land (63). 15

37. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a width (21) of the elastomer bearing body (14) and/or re inforcing elements (17) measured perpendicular to the longitudinal middle axis (24) is greater by a maximum adjustment distance between the bearing and/or connecting plate (13, 15) in a plane receiving the longitudinal middle axis (24) 20 than the width (21) of the elastomer bearing body (14) calculated for the bearing surface (74) needed to receive the maximum bearing load.

38. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that an overlap surface between the end faces (26, 31) of the 25 elastomer bearing body (14) facing the bearing and/or connecting plates (13, 15), when the bearing and/or connecting plates (13, 15) are displaced in a plane re ceiving the longitudinal middle axis (24) thereof, overlaps in a direction viewed parallel with the longitudinal middle axis (24) by an overlap surface or bearing surface (74) which corresponds to the cross-section face of the elastomer bear 30 ing body (14) capable of absorbing the maximum permissible bearing load. -45

39. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the elastomer bearing (10) for supporting a centre plate (66) is arranged on oppositely lying sides on two respective intermediate plates (65) immediately adjacent thereto in a plane running perpendicular to the middle 5 axis (68) of the plates.

40. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a centre plate (66) is supported by means of the elastomer bearings (10) or by a respective elastomer bearing (10) on each of the intermedi 10 ate plates (65) running parallel on each side by means of a cross member (69).

41. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the elastomer bearings (10) are arranged underneath the centre plate (66) and are joined to the intermediate plate (65) by means of a sup 15 porting member (94) immovably joined thereto by means of the bearing plate (13) and the connecting plate (15) and the other bearing plate (13) of the elas tomer bearing (10) is supported by means of a supporting arm (97) and a periph eral supporting arm (98) on the adjacent intermediate plate (65) or centre plate (66) or the wall bearing section (41). 20

42. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the elastomer bearings (10) are arranged between the centre plate (66) and an intermediate plate (65) or different intermediate plates (65) or the intermediate plate (65) and the wall bearing section (41) spaced apart from 25 one another respectively in the direction of the middle axis (68) of the plates, alternately and in succession.

43. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the centre plate (66) is attached to the cross beam (69) in a 30 force fit and/or positive fit and is supported on the adjacent intermediate plates (65) either side thereof by means of other elastomer bearings (10) in retaining -46 sections (67) joined to the intermediate plates (65).

44. A bearing arrangement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the elastomer bearing (10) of a centrally arranged centre 5 plate (66) is connected to the wall bearing section (41) by the intermediate plates (65) arranged between it and the wall bearing section (41) and the other elas tomer bearing (10) is connected by means of the intermediate plates (65) ar ranged between it and the other wall bearing section (41) to the other wall bear ing section (41) and is supported thereon. 10 15 20 25 30