Mancunian Way bearing replacements

When the Mancunian Way was constructed in the mid-1960s, pot-bearings were virtually unknown in this country and their incorporation into the design w as one of the many innovative features of this high-profile project. These types of bearings are now commonplace on most major bridges in the UK and t hroughout the world. However, over the intervening years, the condition of the Mancunian Way bearings has deteriorated considerably; indeed, to such a n extent that when four bearings were removed and tested in 1993, their res istance to sliding had increased from the design value of 5% maximum to ove r 15%. This threefold increase in the coefficient of friction along the sli ding surfaces of the bearings gave rise to serious increases in the loads o n both the superstructure and piers. Replacement of the bearings was the on ly longterm solution. This paper outlines the analysis of the problems, and evaluation and implementation of solutions to replace the bridge bearings on the;Mancunian Way, one of the busiest traffic routes in Manchester city centre.