Different kinds of bridges require different kinds of bearings. The Swedish Traffic Agency (Trafikverket) maintains 53 bridges in Sweden with high strength steel roller bearings. These kinds of bearings may cause failure due to fatigue and corrosion and therefore they need to be replaced as a safety reason. Swedish Traffic Agency has been working on the replacement since 2011 and this study is aimed at four different bridges maintained by the Swedish Traffic Agency where bearing replacement is completed or planned. Bridges with high strength steel roller bearings are dimensioned according to old norms which didn’t require dimensioning for bearing replacement. This creates problems when the superstructure needs to be lifted with hydraulic jacks to unload the bearings during the replacement. These problems are repetitive and consist for example of lack of space and construction parts that aren’t dimensioned to handle the loads that occur during the lift of the superstructure. Therefor some kind of temporary construction is arranged to solve the problems. The purpose of the study is to compare methods and cost for bearing replacement, safety solutions and the use of temporary bearings for three types of supports. This study has dealt with three different kinds of supports: circular column, abutment and wall pier, where four different methods of bearing replacement have been compared. Through interviews, observation of blueprints and literature studies a comparison between methods has been made.  The temporary constructions are made of steel or concrete. Results of the study shows that a temporary construction made of steel is more adaptable but more expensive than a temporary construction made of concrete. A temporary construction made of concrete requires a greater encroachment of the structure. Bridge structures are complex constructions whom may differ from each other. The individual bridge’s unique location, shape and type are factors that affect the choice of method. This had led to difficulties to define the best bridge bearing replacement method. Constructions of steel are expensive and should, if possible, be reused. When using of the method of temporary concrete construction the structure should be dimensioned for permanent use.

A technical solution to the problem of unavoidable movements in bridge structures is the use of bridge bearings. Bridge bearings are small integral parts of the entire bridge structure serving several purposes, such as connection, transfer of forces, allowing movements, force damping etc. However, bridge bearings could create more problems for the bridge structure than it solves if not properly understood, especially when it receives less attention than it deserves. Technical and practical issues, such as selection of the right bearing type for use, merits and demerits of different bearing types, maintenance and monitoring, replacement, life cycle cost etc. are all imperative to ensure that bearings satisfy their purpose.   This study takes into consideration the practical and theoretical experience available for the use of bridge bearings. Two electronic surveys were used to garner knowledge and expertise from bridge engineers, bearing manufacturers and other stake holders in the course of this study, also practical knowledge concerning various types and problems of bridge bearings, maintenance, repair and replacement, life cycle costing etc. were employed in addition to physical investigation of bridge bearings in the Stockholm area of Sweden.   Generally, all bearing types were found to perform their functions satisfactorily when in good conditions, though inevitable problem of degradation reduces the life span of these bearings, especially the ones made mainly of steel being affected by corrosion. Those made of rubber components also degrade and perform poorly in low temperatures and under high load magnitude, though they are the most economical solution to many problems, especially in seismically active areas. Modern and enclosed bearing types such as pot, spherical, disc, LRB, FPB etc. are best used in critical conditions like high vertical load, extensive degree/extent of movement, seismic areas etc. but they are expensive solutions due to technicality in construction, and they are not exempted from various problems of degradation.