Improving the Performance of Bridge Expansion Joints

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.