This document discusses bridge expansion joints. It begins by defining expansion joints and their purpose of accommodating movement in bridges. It then categorizes expansion joints based on the magnitude of movement they can handle: small (under 45mm), medium (45-130mm), and large (over 130mm). Examples of joint types for each category are given along with their advantages and disadvantages. Small movement joints discussed include sliding plate, compression seal, asphaltic plug, and poured sealant joints. Medium movement joints include strip seal and finger plate joints. Large movement joints include bolt-down panels and modular elastomeric seals. The document also discusses the installation process and maintenance of finger plate joints.

1. Subject:-BRIDGE ENGINEERING (8CE4.1A)
Topic:- Expansion Joint in Bridge
DIVYA VISHNOI
Assistant Professor

2. BRIDGE EXPANSION JOINT

3. INTRODUCTION
Generally Expansion Joints of Bridges are designed to provide continuity between
two parts of the structures which are in relative movements because of thermal
deformation, creep, shrinkage and displacement/deflection of the structures
under traffic load. Expansion Joints should be capable of accommodating all
movements of the deck slab.

4. TYPE OF EXPANSION JOINT BASED ON MOVEMENT



Small Movement Joints: capable of accommodating total motion up to
45 mm.
MediumMovement Joints: capableof accommodatingtotal motion 45
mm to 130 mm.
Large Movement Joints: capable of accommodating total motion excess of
130 mm.

5. TYPE OF SMALL MOVEMENT JOINT
(Based On Construction)




Sliding Plate joints
Compression Seal Joints
Asphaltic Plug Joints
Poured Sealant Joints

6. SLIDING PLATE JOINT
1.
2.
1.
2.
3.
Advantages:
Sliding Plate Joints are used for short and
medium span bridges.
These Joints are structurally simple, reasonable in
cost.
Disadvantages:
These are limited to horizontal movement and
there would be no differential vertical movement.
Plates need to be adjusted periodically to reduce
noise level.
The corrosion of plates and debris collected may
result in jamming of the joint preventing the free
movement of superstructure.

7. COMPRESSION SEAL JOINT
1.
2.
Advantages: These seals are versatile,relatively
inexpensive and easy to replace.
Disadvantages:
For wider joints, adherence of the seal tothe
sides of the joint throughout the length is difficult.
Not suitable for deck slab with a large skew and
curvature.

8. ASPHALTIC PLUG JOINT
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
Advantages:
They provide smooth roadway surface for traffic.
They are water tight and snow proof.
There is no debris collection at the top of the joint.
Disadvantages:
Not suitable in cold areas where lowest temperature is
below Transition temperature of APJ material.
Generally limited tothe skew angle below 30
degrees.
3. Can not accommodate differential vertical
displacement.

9. POURED SEALANT JOINT
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
Advantages:
Easy to use and self leveling.
Can be placed in a short timeso suitable for
rehabilitation/repair project.
Exhibit good elastic properties over a wide range of
temperature variation.
Disadvantages:
It’s a temporary type of joint system(8-10 years) and
mainly used for bridge rehabilitation projects where it
is difficult to replace existing seals.
Very sensitive to field installation conditions, such as
workmanship.

10. TYPE OF MEDIUM MOVEMENT JOINT
(Based On Construction)


Strip Seal joints
Finger Plate Joints

11. STRIP SEAL JOINT
1.
1.
Advantages:
Properly installed strip seals havedemonstrated
relatively good performance.
Damage seals can be replaced with minimum
traffic disruptions.
Disadvantages:
1. Accumulates debris which can resist joint
movement and result in a premature seal failure.
2. Faulty installations orunclean lockingdevices cause
seal pullout from metallic rail edges.

12. FINGER PLATE JOINT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Advantages:
It can accommodate all movements of the structure
both horizontal and vertical.
Successfully used in medium and long span bridges.
It has a good riding quality without causing any
hazards to any class of road users.
Silent and skid & vibration free in operation.
It allows easyinspection, maintenance, repair or
replacement.
Disadvantages: Finger Plate joints allow water and de-
icing chemical to pass through them. Elastomeric or
metallic seal must be placed beneath them to intercept the
deck water and debris way from the substructure member.

13. TYPE OF LARGE MOVEMENT JOINT
(Based On Construction)


Bolt-Down Panel Joints
Modular Elastomeric Seal Joints

14. BOLT-DOWN JOINT
Advantages: Bolt-down panels can be fabricated in
varying widths proportional to the total allowable
movement range.
Disadvantages: Bolts and nuts connecting panel to
bridge decks are prone to loosening and breaking
under high speed traffic. The loose panels and
hardware in the roadway present hazards to vehicular
traffic, particularly to motorcycles.
Elastomeric dam

15. MODULAR ELASTOMERIC SEAL JOINT
Advantages: These joints provide watertight and
vehicular load transfer across a wide expansion
joint openings and performance of these joints at
many locations have been found satisfactory.
Disadvantages: These devices are structurally
complex and very expensive.

16. INSTALLATION OF FINGER TYPE EXPANSION JOINT IN
APPROACH ROAD BRIDGES OF PMBP

17. TERMINOLOGY
Fine Steel Finger Plate
It is made of high-grade steel plates of
identical thickness according the required
contractility. It is subjected to special anti-
rusty treatment.

18. Steel Profile Sealer Strip
It uses mature profile steel to make sealing
set with good water protection. It is
designed to connect finger plate, easy
installing and reliable.

19. Rubber Seal
It is a made of age enduring rubber.

20. HT Bolt
It is used as anchorage to fix the Finger Plate with profile sealer strip and
concrete. Dimension and quantity to be specified according to expansion
value.

21. DESIGN OF FINGER TYPE EXPANSION JOINT

22. INSTALLATION STEPS WITH PICTORAL VEIW

23. Prepare the Block-out area Reference Beam Installation
Reference Beam Reference Beam
Block-out area after deck
slabs concreting

24. Placing Steel Profile Sealer
Strip
Placing Cross Beam for level adjustment of Steel
Profile

25. Level adjustment Center line checking Level checking

26. Final Level checking by Level
Machine
After installation Anchor
Bolt
Installing of Anchor Bolt

27. Welding of rectangular anchor bar with Steel
Profile
After installation and welding of anchor bar

28. Welding Anchor Bolt with anchor Rebar Welding extra cut piece rebar with Anchor Bolt &
anchor Rebar

29. Cleaning by Air Compressor Formwork placing for Expansion GapCleaning by Water

30. Rubber Seal placing on Steel Profile Rubber Seal installation by hand

31. Rubber Seal installation by Crowbar After installation Rubber
Seal

32. Concreting up to the level of Steel ProfileConcreting in Block-out area (Concrete Class C-50)

33. Tightening Anchor Bolt by Hand
Wrench
Tightening Anchor Bolt by Electric
Wrench
Placing Finger Plate

34. Concreting up to the level of Finger Plate

35. Curing

36. After complete Installation

37. SEALING OF ANCHOR BOLT HOLES WITH
EPOXY RESIN

38. MAINTENANCE OF FINGER TYPE
EXPENSION JOINT
 During regular maintenance work of the bridge, frequently remove
accumulated dust and gravels to avoid effects on free expansion and damage
to finger plate or seal leakage.
 Regularly inspect the anchor bolts for damage and look for cracks or leakage
at the joint between the finger plate and the deck concrete. If it occurs, it is
required to carry out timely repairs.
Take regular anti-rust measures to assure the expansion joints are in normal
working condition.

39. CONTRACTION JOINT

40. WHY USED?


Contraction Joint is used to reduced the number of expansionjoint,
thereby reducing cost and increasing driving comfort .
It allows only contraction of deck slab while the expansion joint allows
both expansion and contraction.

41. DESIGN OF CONTRACTION JOINT

42. Debonding coat will be provided at dowel bars
before concretingadjacent deck slab
Contraction Joint after concreting deck slab(one side)
Dowel
Bars

43. Sealing compound will be provided in this gap (10x20 mm)