Elastomeric bearings in construction: Durable isolation & noise reduction

Elastomeric bearings are key components in modern structural design for controlling vibrations, absorbing loads and providing an elastic bearing for structural elements. These flexible deformation bearings enable controlled movement compensation while providing effective protection against structure-borne noise. Elastomeric bearings also deliver multiple benefits by reducing damage from constraining forces and providing long-term protection for the structure, which noticeably enhances comfort. Thanks to the material’s unique properties, they offer a consistently high load capacity and excellent damping. Elastomeric bearings help to reduce a system’s life-cycle costs. Thanks to their long service life and low maintenance requirements, they provide a cost-effective and technically reliable solution for vibration protection and isolation.

Vibration protection

Elastomeric bearings in construction

In steel, concrete and timber constructions, elastomer bearings are used for elastic decoupling of buildings or building components, such as ceilings, stairs and technical installations. They stop vibrations or structure-borne noise being transmitted into load-bearing structures, which both enhances comfort and building longevity.

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Commuter train at night in front of skyscrapers. Example of structure-borne noise insulation.

Elastomeric bearings

Installation between structural components

Elastomeric bearings are installed directly at the interfaces between load-bearing elements and therefore play a key role in the structural design of buildings. They provide controlled elastic support, compensate for deformations and help ensure safe load transfers within the structure. Thanks to their volume-elastic properties and resilient damping mechanisms, they meet building physics requirements for both vibration isolation and decoupling of structure-borne noise. Elastomeric bearings can also be integrated into a wide range of building structures as point, strip or surface bearings – for example, beneath columns, steel and pre-stressed concrete elements or load-bearing structures. Material properties – such as temperature stability, dynamic behaviour and specified deformation characteristics – ensure reliable, consistent performance throughout the structure.

Various types of elastomeric bearings are used in construction:
Heavy-duty, non-reinforced elastomeric bearings support small to medium loads. Elastomeric bearings made from Sylodyn® HRB HS protect against vibrations and shocks from external sources and are specifically designed for use in building construction.

Steel-reinforced elastomeric bearings combine PU elastomers with integrated steel layers, enabling high loads to be supported on a small footprint. These bearings are often used as point supports on columns.

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Steel Reinforced elastomeric bearings

High load elastomeric bearings

Properties of elastomers

Elastic deformation and damping: Elastomeric bearings provide excellent controlled deformation. Combined with effective damping, they efficiently reduce vibration transmission, ensuring quiet operating conditions across a wide range of applications.
High load capacity: Depending on the type and material, elastomers boast outstanding load capacity combined with optimal springing behaviour. They are designed to reliably carry both long-term static loads and short-term peak loads.
Effective sound control: The elastic decoupling provides effective sound control that reduces structure-borne noise, while also improving the acoustic quality in buildings and technical installations.
Precision calculation and adaptability: Modern design methods make it possible to calculate the optimum elastomeric bearing with precision. Different types of material can be customised to meet specific requirements in terms of elasticity, damping, dynamics and bearing thickness.
High-quality materials: Elastomers are made from durable, weather-resistant materials that retain their dynamic properties for many years. These versatile materials are specially designed to isolate vibrations and safely dissipate forces, and can be used in different areas.

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