EXPANSION JOINT

OUTLINE
 Basics
 Design
 Construction
 Damage
 Maintenance
BASICS OF THE EXPANSION
JOINTS
The expansion joint is one of the most
important structural elements of a bridge.

Keeps the running surface smooth

Absorbs deformation caused in the
superstructure
Provides safety and comfort for riders
THE FUNCTIONS REQUIRED
FROM THE EXPANSION JOINTS

1) Absorb the longitudinal movements of girders such

as expansion or contraction due to temperature
change or shrinkage and creep of concrete
2) Keep smooth running surface for traffic
3) Be durable
4) Be water-proof
5) Be easy to install
6) Be easy to maintain and replace
TYPES OF EXPANSION JOINTS

(1) Buried Joint

(Blind expansion joint)
(2) Butt Joint
(Filled rubber expansion joint)
(3) Load support joint
(Load supporting rubber expansion joint)
(4) Steel finger joint
(5) Beam type joint
 BURIED JOINT
Asphalt mixtures

Pavement Pavement

Continuity

Buried joint

Buried joints are mainly made of asphalt mixtures that are similar
to those used for pavement.
Asphalt mixtures absorb expansion and deformation of bridges.
Buried joints can ensure the continuity of road surfaces and
hardly make any noise or vibration.
 BURIED JOINT
Cracks

Buried joints can absorb only a little longitudinal expansion.

If the expansion is significant, they are likely to cause tension
cracks in pavement over expansion spacing.
 BUTT JOINT
Rubber

Expansion spacing
between deck slabs
In butt joint, expansion spacing between deck slabs is made of
rubber only.
Butt joints cannot support any wheel loads over expansion
spacing between deck slabs.
So butt joints are used for relatively small bridges that have a
small amount of expansion and small expansion spacing.
 LOAD SUPPORT JOINT

Rubber

Steel materials

• Expansion of bridges is absorbed by shear deformation of rubber.

• Wheel loads are supported by steel materials in rubber.
• So load support joints can handle a large expansion length in comparison
with butt joints and buried joints.
• We usually use this for bridges with medium bridges.
 STEEL FINGER JOINT
Elastic Seal

Slab
Anchor Plate
& reinforcing
bars

Steel finger joints are made of fabricating steel materials to

adjust any field conditions for every bridges.
So steel finger joints can handle a large expansion length and are
very durable.
We widely adopt this to any expansion length or any types of
bridges.
 BEAM TYPE JOINT
エンドビーム
Middle beam Upper bearing
ミドルビーム
上ベアリング

シールゴム

ボックス
下ベアリング
Lower bearing
コントロールゴム

サポートビーム
ステンレス板
Support
下ベアリング押え板beam

Beam type joints are designed for wheel loads to be transmitted

from middle beams to substructures through support beams
and lower bearings.
Longitudinal expansion depends on the number of beams.
EXAMPLES OF EXPANSION JOINT
・ Buried Joint 　 ･ Butt Joint ・ Load support joint

・ Finger Joint 　　 ･ Beam type joint

DESIGN
SELECTION OF EXPANSION JOINTS
The type of expansion joint used depends on the bridge type,amount of expansion and traffic
density.

 Type of bridge
Concrete or Steel
 Amount of expansion
 Traffic density
15,000 vehicles or more per day
Less than 15,000 vehicles per day
APPLICATION RANGE OF EXPANSION
JOINTS
Table of application range of expansion joints
Extent of application

Type of Amount of expansion

expansion joint Type of bridge
15,000 vehicles or Less than 15,000
more per day vehicles per day
Concrete bridge × 30㎜ or less
Buried joint
Steel bridge × ×
Concrete bridge × 30㎜ or less
Butt joint
Steel bridge × 40㎜or less
Load support Concrete bridge 80㎜or less 100㎜or less
joint Steel bridge 50㎜or less 100㎜or less
Concrete bridge No restriction on use No restriction on use
Steel finger joint
Steel bridge No restriction on use No restriction on use
 How to use the table of application
range of expansion joints
Type of bridge : Concrete bridge, Amount of expansion : 100 ㎜
Traffic density : 18,000 vehicles pre day
Extent of application

Type of Amount of expansion

expansion joint Type of bridge
15,000 vehicles or Less than 15,000
more per day vehicles per day
Concrete bridge × 30㎜ or less
Buried joint
Steel bridge × ×

Butt joint
Steel finger joint
Concrete bridge × 30㎜ or less
Steel bridge × 40㎜or less
Load support Concrete bridge 80㎜or less 100㎜or less
joint Steel bridge 50㎜or less 100㎜or less
Concrete bridge No restriction on use No restriction on use
Steel finger joint
Steel bridge No restriction on use No restriction on use
EXERCISE 1
EXERCISE 1

Which type of expansion joint do you select in the case

of following conditions?

 Type of bridge : Steel bridge

 Amount of expansion : 70 ㎜
 Traffic density : 1,500 vehicles per day
Type of bridge : Steel bridge, Amount of expansion : 70 ㎜
Traffic density : 1,500 vehicles pre day
Extent of application

Type of Amount of expansion

expansion joint Type of bridge
15,000 vehicles or Less than 15,000
more per day vehicles per day
Concrete bridge × 30㎜ or less
Buried joint
Steel bridge × ×
Concrete bridge × 30㎜ or less
Butt joint
Steel bridge × 40㎜or less
Load support Concrete bridge 80㎜or less 100㎜or less
joint Steel bridge 50㎜or less 100㎜or less
Concrete bridge No restriction on use No restriction on use
Steel finger joint
Steel bridge No restriction on use No restriction on use

ANSWER : LOAD SUPPORT JOINT

OR STEEL FINGER JOINT
 THE AMOUNT OF EXPANSION

The amount of expansion is a major requirement

for choosing the types of the expansion joints.
The amount of expansion should be established in
consideration of (1)changes in temperature,
temperature
(2)drying shrinkage of concrete,
concrete (3)concrete creep
and (4)superstructure movement due to deflection
caused by live loads.
loads
 (1)CALCULATION OF THE AMOUNT OF
EXPANSION DUE TO CHANGES IN
TEMPERATURE
The amount of expansion due to changes in temperature should be
calculated by the following formula.

Δｌｔ＝ ΔＴ・ α・ｌ

　 Δｌｔ : Amount of expansion due to changes in temperature
　　 ΔＴ　 : Variation in temperature
(variation from the highest temperature to the lowest
temperature in the following Table)
　　 α　　 : Coefficient of liner expansion
(Steel girder 12×10-6 Concrete girder 10×10-6 )
　　ｌ　　 : Length of expanded girder (mm)
CHANGES IN TEMPERATURE
ACCORDING TO TYPE OF BRIDGE
Table of changes in temperature according to type of bridge
Changes in temperature
ΔΔT: Varietion tempreature
t : temperature variation
Type of bridge
Warm Climate
Ordinary area Cold Climate
Cold area

Reinforeced concrete bridge +35℃ ～ -5℃ +35℃ ～ -15℃

Prestressed concrete bridge
Steel bridge (deck bridge)
Steel bridge　(Through bridge or
steel plate deck bridge)
ΔT = 35-(-5) = 40 ΔT = 35-(-15) = 50
+40℃ ～ -10℃ +40℃ ～ -20℃
ΔT = 40-(-10) = 50 ΔT = 40-(-20) = 60
+50℃ ～ -10℃ +40℃ ～ -20℃
ΔT = 50-(-10) = 60 ΔT = 40-(-20) = 60
 (2)CALCULATION OF THE AMOUNT OF
CONTRACTION DUE TO DRYING
SHRINKAGE OF CONCRETE
The amount of contraction due to drying shrinkage of concrete
should be calculated by the following formula.

　 Δｌｓ＝ ΔＴｓ・ α・ β・ｌ

　 Δｌｓ : Amount of contraction due to drying shrinkage of concrete

　 ΔＴ ｓ : Variation in temperature, equivalent to drying
shrinkage （ 20℃ ）
　　 α ： Coefficient of liner expansion
(Steel girder 12×10-6 Concrete girder 10×10-6 )
　　 β ： Reduction coefficient according to age of concrete in the following
　　　　　　 Table
　　 ｌ ： Length of expanded girder (mm)
 REDUCTION COEFFICIENT ACCORDING
TO AGE OF CONCRETE
Table of reduction coefficient according to the age of concrete

Age of concrete (months) 1 3 6 12 24

Reduction coefficient (β) 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1

 (3)CALCULATION OF THE AMOUNT OF
CONTRACTION CAUSED BY CONCRETE
CREEP
The amount of contraction caused by concrete creep should be
calculated by the following formula.
ｃ
Δｌｃ＝　－・ φ・ β・ｌ σ
 
Δｌｃ
Ｅ ｃ
: Amount of contraction caused by creep
　　 σｃ : Axial compressive stress caused by a prestressed main
girder （ 6Ｎ / ㎜ 2 ）
　　Ｅｃ ： Modulus of elasticity when a main girder is
prestressed
（ 3×104 Ｎ / ㎜ 2 ）
　　 φ ： Creep coefficient of concrete （ 2.0 ）
　　 β ： Reduction coefficient according to age of concrete in
the above Table
　　 ｌ ： Length of expanded girder (mm)
(4) CALCULATION OF THE AMOUNT OF
ALLOWANCE
To obtain the amount of superstructure movement due
to deflection caused by live loads of girders, values
obtained from structural analysis should be used.
However, because analysis can be complicated, 20% of
the basic amount of expansion should be allowed.

Δｌ a = (Δ ｌ t + Δ ｌ s + Δ ｌ c ) × 0.2

Δｌ a : Amount of allowance
CALCULATION OF THE AMOUNT OF
EXPANSION
The amount of expansion should be established in consideration of (1)changes in temperature,
(2)drying shrinkage of concrete, (3)concrete creep and (4)superstructure movement due to
deflection caused by live loads.

Δｌｃ =Δ ｌ t + Δ ｌ s + Δ ｌ c + Δ ｌ a
EXERCISE 2
EXERCISE 2

What is the amount of expansion in the case of

following conditions?

 Type of bridge : Prestressed concrete bridge

 Area : Warm climate
 Length of expanded girder : 105m
 Age of concrete : 3months
 Traffic density : 1,000 vehicles per day
Amount of expansion due to changes in temperature
Δ ｌｔ＝ Δ Ｔ・ α ・ｌ

= {35 – (-5)}×10×10-6×105,000
= 42( ㎜ )
Changes
Changes in
in temperature
temperature
ΔT: Varietion tempreature
Δt : Temperature variation
Type of bridge
Ordinary
Warm area
Climate Cold
Cold area
Climate
Reinforeced concrete bridge +35℃ ～ -5℃ +35℃ ～ -15℃
Prestressed concrete bridge ΔT = 35-(-5) = 40 ΔT = 35-(-15) = 50
+40℃ ～ -10℃ +40℃ ～ -20℃
Steel bridge (deck bridge)
ΔT = 40-(-10) = 50 ΔT = 40-(-20) = 60
Steel bridge　(Through bridge or +50℃ ～ -10℃ +40℃ ～ -20℃
steel plate deck bridge) ΔT = 50-(-10) = 60 ΔT = 40-(-20) = 60
• Amount of contraction due to drying shrinkage of concrete
Δ ｌｓ＝ Δ Ｔｓ・ α ・ β ・ｌ

= 20×10×10-6×0.4×105,000
= 8.4 ( ㎜ )

Age of concrete (months) 1 3 6 12 24

Reduction coefficient (β) 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1

• Amount of contraction caused by concrete creep
σｃ
Δ ｌｃ＝　－・ φ ・ β ・ｌ
Ｅｃ
6
= ×2×0.4×105,000
3×104
= 16.8 ( ㎜ )

• Amount of allowance
Δ ｌ a = (Δ ｌ t + Δ ｌ s + Δ ｌ c ) × 0.2
= (42+ 8.4+ 16.8) ×0.2
= 13.44 ( ㎜ )
Answer : Δ ｌｃ =Δ ｌ t + Δ ｌ s + Δ ｌ c + Δ ｌ a

= 42+ 8.4 + 16.8 + 13.44

= 80.64 ( ㎜ )
EXERCISE 3
EXERCISE 3

Which type of the expansion joints will you select in

the case of Exercise 2?

Exercise 2
– Type of bridge : Prestressed concrete bridge
– Area : Warm climate
– Length of expanded girder : 105m
– Age of concrete : 3mouths
– Traffic density : 1,000 vehicles pre day

– Amount of expansion : 80.64mm

Type of bridge : Prestressed Concrete bridge, Amount of expansion : 80.64 ㎜
Traffic density : 1,000 vehicles pre day
Extent of application

Type of Amount of expansion

expansion joint Type of bridge
15,000 vehicles or Less than 15,000
more per day vehicles per day
Concrete bridge × 30㎜ or less
Buried joint
Steel bridge × ×
Concrete bridge × 30㎜ or less
Butt joint
Steel bridge × 40㎜or less
Load support Concrete bridge 80㎜or less 100㎜or less
joint Steel bridge 50㎜or less 100㎜or less
Concrete bridge No restriction on use No restriction on use
Steel finger joint
Steel bridge No restriction on use No restriction on use

ANSWER : LOAD SUPPORT JOINT

OR STEEL FINGER JOINT
CONSTRUCTION
 CONSTRUCTION OF EXPANSION JOINT
• It is very important to set the expansion joints properly,
because it effects, driving conditions and durability of the
expansion joints themselves.
• If an expansion joint is not on the level, with the surface,
it will cause a bumpy ride and discomfort for the riders.
• And in turn their vehicles will add to the wear of the
expansion joints.

Expansion joint

Bannnnn !!!!
 CONSTRUCTION OF EXPANSION JOINT
• In order to set an expansion joint exactly, setter made of
steel plate is necessary.
• Expansion joint should be set 3mm below the road surface.

Setter Installation of setter

DAMAGE
Damages to buried joint
Cracks

Buried joint cracked.

 Damages to butt joint

• Pavement around the butt joint cracked, crumbled

and was collapsed.
 Damage to load support joint
(steel surface)

1.8 ｍ

A part of the face-plate broke off and landed on the

road surface.
Service life of the expansion joint was 15 years.
 Damage to beam type joint

300kg

9m

Middle beam of beam type joint broke off and was

transported on to the road surface.
Service life of the expansion joint was 17 years.
 WATER LEAKAGE

Girder

Pier
Shoe

Water leakage from expansion joints caused

damage to other structural elements.
The girder and the shoe are covered with rust and
the pier is damaged.
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE OF EXPANSION JOINTS

 Damage to the expansion joints not only

displeases customers and exposes them to
danger but may affect the structures of a
bridge.
 Therefore, necessary steps for the proper
maintenance of the expansion joints should be
taken.
 And maintenance consists of inspection and
assessment and decision.
 TYPES OF INSPECTIONS
Inspection includes routine inspection,regular
inspection and detailed inspection.
Type Outline
To detect damage and to assess degree of such defects
Routine
Visual observation from a vehicle
inspection
Several days a week
To assess the condition of a structure generally and to
Regular draw up inspection plan
inspection Visual observation from a distance
Once a year
To detect damage in detail
Detailed Visual observation from a short distance and hammer
inspection tapping
Once five years or less