Practical Guide to the Use of Bridge Expansion Joints

Practical Guide to the Use of Bridge Expansion Joints
Author: C. P. Barnard
Publisher:
Total Pages: 78
Release: 1999
Genre: Bridges
ISBN: 9780727729187

Because of the inconsistency of performance associated with expansion joints in bridges, a Working Group was created to propose the means to improve their usage and reduce the incidence of premature failure and leakage. The research results of this Working Group (see accompanying report, TRL 236, above) have formed the basis for this guide, which sets out procedures and recommendations for the better use and procurement of bridge expansion joints. This practical guide takes the bridge engineer through selecting, specifying, purchasing, installing and maintaining an expansion joint to achieve good performance. It follows a logical sequence, beginning with a short background note and a description of the joint types and other terms used in the report and then goes on to cover the whole process of joint provision and maintenance. It includes details of whole life costing and optional procurement methods as an aid to joint selection, together with sketches of recommended details for joint installation.

Improving the Performance of Bridge Expansion Joints

Improving the Performance of Bridge Expansion Joints
Author: Barnard
Publisher: Thomas Telford Publishing
Total Pages: 92
Release: 1999-04-13
Genre:
ISBN: 9780727729224

Expansion joints in bridges have long experienced the problem of inconsistent performance as well an unacceptably high incidence of premature failure; a situation caused by number of factors, including selection procedure and installation conditions. This report is the result of a study by a Working Group set up by the County Surveyors' Society and TRL Working Party on Highway Research whose objective was to propose the means to improve the consistency of performance and value for money of expansion joints, reducing the incidence of premature failure and leakage. Each aspect of joint selection, performance and maintenance was studied and a whole life cost study was carried out to weigh the benefits of high initial cost/long-life joints against low purchase cost/short-life options. This report presents the findings of the Working Group, including the most common reasons for joint failure, the shortcoming of the methods used to select joints and the total cost of an expansion joint.