Simplifying Bridge Expansion Joint Design and Maintenance

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Simplifying Bridge Expansion Joint Design and Maintenance

Author: Caicedo, Juan M University of South Carolina, Columbia Wieger, Glen Ziehl, Paul Rizos, Dimitris | Size: 1.84 MB | Format: PDF | Quality: Original preprint | Publisher: University of South Carolina, Columbia | Year: 2011 | pages: 57

This report presents a study focused on identifying the most durable expansion joints for the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). This is performed by proposing a degradation model for the expansion joints and updating it based on bridge inspections. Open expansion joints and pourable joint seal were found to be the best performing joints based on the proposed degradation models. Assembly joints and compression joint seal have an intermediate performance and strip seal expansion joints have the lowest performance of the type of expansion joints studied. Assembly joints are found to be problematic because of the different moving parts composing the joint. A significant number of bridge joint failures are caused because of incorrect installation, in particular, joints with complex anchor systems between the bridge deck and expansion joint. The SCDOT standards were found to be up to date and comparable to other Department of Transportation standards in terms of the design and installation aspects of bridge joints. A recommendation is made to request a warranty for the installation when appropriate. Other general best practices during the installation of the expansion joint include: 1) when possible, install joints when the ambient temperature is the average of the range of temperatures in the area. This allows the joint to be installed close to the “undeformed” position of the bridge; 2) the support of the joint should be installed in good quality, cured concrete; and 3) avoid splices of any pre-manufactured material. If splices cannot be avoided, place the splice outside the wheel path.

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