Maurer prefers to design its TMD system using the simplest possible mechanism. This approach is beneficial during installation, facilitates technical maintenance, and ensures the long-term and reliable operation of the system. The system consists of a mass determined according to the structural requirements and hydraulic arms that connect it to the structure.

There are currently three projects in our country where Maurer’s TMD system has been implemented: Baku Tower, SOCAR Tower, and the new Flagpole project at the State Flag Square. You can find more detailed information about each project in the “Our Projects” section of the website.

The principle of foundation isolation is quite simple. An isolator is installed beneath each existing column of the structure. In addition to absorbing the loads generated during an earthquake, the isolators also disconnect the structure from the ground, which is why the system is referred to as isolation.

Without foundation isolation, a structure needs to be designed with greater rigidity to withstand seismic loads. However, with the foundation isolation method, these loads are absorbed by the isolators, eliminating the need for excessive structural rigidity. This can result in significant savings in the amount of reinforced concrete required for the structure.

In many countries, foundation seismic isolation is mandatory for certain types of structures under applicable building codes. For example, in Türkiye, seismic isolation at the foundation level is mandatory for all newly constructed hospital projects with more than 100 beds. Similar requirements for the use of this system are applied around the world, particularly to projects such as hospitals, hotels, business centers, airports, and other critical facilities.

MAURER has hundreds of different projects worldwide where this method has been successfully implemented. There are also projects in our country where the foundation isolation method has been applied.

Foundation seismic isolation is implemented by installing spherical bearings or elastomeric isolators beneath the columns of the structure. Thanks to these isolators, during an earthquake, the building or house can move in all directions, reducing seismic forces and ensuring the safety of the structure.

MAURER is one of the world’s leading companies in this field and holds dozens of patents related to expansion joints and bridge bearings. In addition to designing and manufacturing these products, MAURER also provides engineering and consulting services for expansion joints and bridge bearings for special projects.

These expansion joints are offered in three categories: for floors, for walls and ceilings, and for outdoor environments, façade connections, and parking areas.

You can visit the “Our Products” section of our website and follow the link to MAURER to explore our product catalogue for architectural expansion joints.

These couplers help accelerate the construction process while also providing significant cost savings. With traditional methods, reinforcing bars are overlapped and tied together, and the process continues in this manner. Rebar Couplers make this process much simpler. With threaded connections at both ends, the couplers connect the reinforcing bars using threads instead of overlapping and tying them together. This results in savings with every reinforcing bar, as the overlapping method requires additional bar length, leading to material waste.

Like all of our products, our Rebar Couplers are supplied together with test results and quality certificates.

Bridges are one of the essential elements of modern infrastructure. They connect roads, railways, and other transportation routes while supporting economic and social life. The technologies and materials used in bridge construction play a crucial role in ensuring long-term durability and safety. In this article, we discuss the benefits of expansion joints and bearings (elastomeric or other bearing types) used in bridges.

Benefits of Expansion Joints

Expansion joints are important components that protect bridges against factors such as thermal expansion and contraction, structural movements, and dynamic load variations. They contribute to the stability and safety of bridge structures.

1. Protection Against Thermal Expansion and Contraction:
Bridges are exposed to temperature changes throughout the day and across different seasons. These changes cause bridge structures to expand and contract. Expansion joints accommodate these movements, reducing their impact and helping prevent structural damage.

2. Reduction of Vibrations and Impact Loads:
Expansion joints help accommodate movements and dynamic effects caused by vehicle traffic. This contributes to the long-term durability of the bridge and provides a smoother and safer passage for users.

3. Control of Structural Deformation and Loads:
Structural movements and load effects may occur between different sections of a bridge. Expansion joints accommodate these movements and help maintain the structural integrity of the bridge.

Benefits of Bearings (Elastomeric or Other Bearing Types)

Bearings are essential components that transfer and distribute bridge loads while accommodating structural movements. They contribute significantly to the stability and functionality of bridges.

1. Even Distribution of Loads:
Bearings distribute loads from the bridge superstructure to the supporting elements, helping prevent excessive loading of individual structural components. This contributes to the bridge's durability and stability.

2. Freedom of Movement:
Elastomeric bearings allow controlled movement of the bridge, accommodating thermal expansion, structural movements, and dynamic loads. This enables the bridge to operate safely and effectively.

3. Absorption of Vibrations and Shocks:
Elastomeric bearings help absorb vibrations and dynamic effects caused by earthquakes and vehicle traffic. This reduces the risk of structural damage and enhances user safety.

4. Ease of Maintenance:
Bearings facilitate the maintenance of bridge structures. Depending on the bearing type and design, they can be replaced when necessary, while regular inspection and maintenance can extend their service life.

Conclusion

Expansion joints and bearings used in bridge construction are essential components for ensuring the safety, stability, and long-term performance of bridges. These technologies accommodate thermal expansion, structural movements, and dynamic loads, helping protect bridges from excessive stresses and damage. The use of modern expansion joint and bearing technologies contributes to longer service life, improved structural performance, and safer passage for bridge users.

Our prestressing and post-tensioning products are manufactured at the Indian plant of the German company MAURER. In addition to supplying the products, we can also provide the installation and execution of the relevant works. MAURER’s Indian plant has successfully completed hundreds of different projects in this field.

As part of these activities, when required, we can also conduct structural health tests, provide assessments based on the test results, implement appropriate corrective measures, and offer consulting services related to these works.

In conventional seismic design, the preferred approach is to design structures with high rigidity. In other words, the structure is designed to be sufficiently rigid to withstand loads such as earthquakes, wind, and other forces.

However, in modern methods, such as foundation isolation, TMD, and similar solutions, the structure can be designed relatively lighter. This is because the selected protection system will absorb or mitigate the effects of seismic and wind loads acting on the structure.

For example, if the foundation isolation method is selected, the seismic loads that the structure would otherwise be subjected to will be absorbed by the bearings (isolators). Therefore, the structure does not need to be designed as rigid as it would be with conventional methods.

As ESDESCON LLC, we are also ready to provide support for the seismic design work required when modern seismic protection methods are applied to structures.