The High-performance, Height-adjustable, Load-measuring Bearings of the New Route du Littoral Offshore Viaduct in La Réunion

A new highway, the "Nouvelle Route du Littoral", is currently being constructed on the French island of La Réunion in the Indian Ocean – partially on a viaduct in the sea, following the shoreline. This structure required a large number of high-capacity bearings to support its deck while accommodating movements as required. All of these “high performance” pot bearings were designed to be height-adjustable by injection of a special hardening material when required following ground movements/settlements etc. Each bearing is also equipped with a pressure sensor enabling the load it is carrying to be established at any time – a very useful feature during inspections, which enables the correct and safe distribution of loads among the viaduct’s piers to be verified. The design and supply of the bearings is described.