Structural bearings

Structural bearings are components that allow for relative rotation of parts of structural works, transfer loads and permit or prevent displacements in one or more directions. The most common bearing types for use in bridge construction are spherical bearings, cylindrical bearings, pot bearings (with or without sliding part), roller bearings and guide bearings.

For bearings in building construction, non-reinforced or reinforced elastomeric bearings or elastic elements are used.

For vibration isolation of buildings, steel spring elements, elastic elements as well as non-reinforced or reinforced elastomeric bearings can be used. However, the vibration isolation itself is not covered by the approval.

Regulatory framework

DIBt grants national technical approvals (abZ) for bearings. European Technical Assessments (ETAs) can also be issued for these products.

For construction techniques comprising bearings for which there are no conclusive technical rules, DIBt grants general construction technique permits (aBG).

EAD 050004-01-0301 Spherical and cylindrical bearing with special sliding material made of UHMWPE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene)
(Full text version not yet published)

EAD 050004-00-0301 Spherical and cylindrical bearing with special sliding material made of UHMWPE (Ultra high molecular weight poyethylene) (28 pages ) Version: December 2017; OJEU 2018/C 090/04; EOTA EAD 050009-00-0301 Spherical and cylindrical bearing with special sliding material made of fluoropolymer (30 pages ) Version: January 2017; OJEU 2017/C 118/04; EOTA

National procedure

A national technical approval (abZ) and/or oder general construction technique permit (aBG) is granted upon application (see Model Building Code (MBO), Sections 16a(2) and18(2) and (4)). This also applies to amendments and supplements to, or renewals of existing approvals and/or construction technique permits.

No formal requirements apply. The following information is needed: name and address of the applicant, description of the product and/or construction technique and its field of use or application, type of decision required (new decision, amendment or supplement to, or renewal of, an existing decision).

Please feel free to use the template below.

European Technical Assessment (ETA)

To start the ETA procedure, please submit the form below. We will then check if the prerequisites for issuing an ETA are met, i.e., in particular, if the product is not fully covered by an existing harmonised standard. If the prerequisites are met, we will check whether a European Assessment Document (EAD) covering the requested assessment scope already exists or still needs to be developed. If an EAD needs to be developed or amended, a complete technical file needs to be established before the procedure can begin.