Industry
ENFLO, LLC – Bristol, CT
Development of a Smart PTFE for Bridge Bearings
Funded by: ENFLO
Date: March 2015 to August 2015
The objective of this project is to develop a smart PolyTetraFluoroEthylene (PTFE) sheet that has the potential for bridge bearing load monitoring. Bridge Bearings serve as a critical structural component between the bridge superstructure and substructure. They direct and transfer forces from the entire bridge to abutments. Bridge bearings with PTFE embedded sensors, called ‘Smart PTFE Bearings’, is a novel and unique way for real-time measurement of forces which can provide the basic information necessary to effectively manage the bridge infrastructure throughout its lifecycle. PTFE is typically used in bridge bearing applications due to its low coefficient of friction, especially under high pressures, which allows for translation and rotation of bridges. With the introduction of smart bridge bearing technology, distribution of loads of the entire bridge system can be monitored. Bridge deterioration may be detected by monitoring the bearing forces. This system enables priority allocation of funds to repair or restore old bridges. This project is a collaboration with, and funded by Enflo LLC, a leading manufacturer of quality PTFE products. Enflo received a grant award from the State of Connecticut’s Manufacturing Innovation Voucher Program (MVP), in partnership with the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), which helped to fund this project.
Six critical tasks will be completed during the course of this 6-month project.
Task 1: Complete an Exhaustive Literary Review
Task 2: Manufacture prototypes of five most promising designs
Task 3: Design and Fabricate a Housing Bearing
Task 4: Perform Load Testing
Task 5: Optimize the Design and Develop a Standard Procedure for Manufacturing and Calibration of Smart PTFE
Task 6: Submit a Final Report
Standard Types of Disktron Bearings, RJ Watson, Inc.