The VHC spherical bearing consists of a top plate, a flat sliding plate, a curved sliding plate, a stainless steel sheet, a convex calotte, and a bottom plate.

The bearing assembly comprises a convex calotte (3) and a concave spherical recess in the bottom plate (4), both manufactured from high-strength steel. These components are combined with two low-friction sliding plates (2) made of PTFE/ UHMWPE, or equivalent materials,providing low friction, high load-carrying capacity, and accommodation of large rotational movements. The top plate (1) is fabricated from high-strength steel and features a mirror-finished stainless steel sliding surface on its underside. In contact with the sliding plate, this arrangement enables the bearing to accommodate both translational and rotational movements effectively.

Depending on each type of spherical bearing (fixed, guided or free sliding type), the upper parts are designed accordingly to meet the movement requirements of the bearing.

The bearing is connected to the superstructure and the substructure by means of high-strength anchor bolts and anchor dowels (depending on design), or alternatively by means of separate anchor plates with shear studs.

Loads are transferred through the spherical surface, ensuring uniform load distribution, including the corresponding reactions within the concrete structure.

The rotational mechanism is entirely mechanical and does not rely on deformable materials such as rubber. This design provides a long service life and makes VHC spherical bearings particularly suitable for railway bridge structures, where large movements, high rotational demands, and significant dynamic loads are required.

To ensure the long-life durability, VHC spherical bearing is protected against corrosion by the following methods: two-component epoxy coat, PU-based painting (Polyurethane) in accordance with the corrosion categories specified in ISO 12944 (TCVN 12705). In particular, the Al–Mg thermal spraying method (at the ratio of 95% Al and 5% Mg) ensures the anti-corrosion durability of up to 100 years, proven by salt-spraying test in 12.000 hours (8-hour dry-wet cycle repetition) under ASTM B117 standards.