bearing alternatives

huangyhg

bearing alternatives
anybody got any recommendations on alternatives to traditinal elastomeric/mechanical bearings allowing lateral movement while taking significant axial force?
its approx 300mm of movement and its a one off (slow occuring) event. its two concrete surfaces so i was thinking there may be away for me to suitably reduce the friction coeff with a paint possibly, or failing that some sort of low friction material... maybe a coating or even some sort of a fabric?? (i know roofing felt has been used as a bearing material in bridges in the past where movement has been allowed but not sure il be able to argue for that, feels a little back of the fag packet-esque... but if its moved on from there and there is some sort of proven felt type material that could be an option.)
any helps appreciated.

300mm or 1 foot is a lot of movement, where does this movement come from?
elastomeric laminated bearing are the best material when significant force needs to be transferred while facilitating movement.  
asixth is right, bearings are design to to exactly that, transmit axial loads while allowing movement. why would you want to reinvent the weel?
you could put a teflon pad on one surface and a stainless steel sheet on the other, wait! that is a type of bearing!
maybe bronce and stainless steel,... wait! that is another type of bearing!
haha, alright kelowna you smart ass ;)
by alternatives i just meant to the traditional run of the mill stuff i see every day - sorted now, managed to find a sliding bearing that allows the high level of movement while still taking the axial load and being thin enough for the location.
cheers