Define Compression - Actions in POT Bearings?
Vertical load is carried through the piston of the bearing and it is resisted by the elastomeric pad. Elastomer is incompressible, though deformable. Due to this property, elastomer exerts pressure on the POT wall like a fluid. Deformation of the POT wall is a concern since this deformation changes the clearances between the POT and the piston. Similarly in the downward direction, the base plate deformation causes the POT wall to rotate inward.