Bridge bearing

Okay kiddo, imagine you and your best friend are standing at opposite ends of a long, wobbly wooden board. Now you want to cross to the other side, but you don't want to fall into the river below.

So, you need something to help keep you safe and steady on this wobbly board, right? Well, that's kind of like what a bridge bearing does!

A bridge bearing is a special device that helps keep bridges in place and allows them to move a little bit without breaking. Just like your wobbly board needs some kind of support or help to keep it steady, bridges need help too, especially because they are so big and heavy.

A bridge bearing is usually made out of a material called rubber, which is very strong and can withstand a lot of pressure. The bearing goes between the bridge and the structure it's connected to, like the pillars or columns that hold it up.

When the bridge moves, like if there is a lot of traffic on it or if it's windy outside, the bearing helps absorb some of that movement and keeps the bridge from cracking or breaking.

So, just like you need your friend's hand to help you balance on the wobbly board, a bridge needs a bearing to help it stay steady and strong.