BRIDGE DECK JOINT REHABILITATION OR RETROFITTING. FINAL REPORT

Over the years, state highway agencies have been plagued with problems related to bridge deck expansion joints. In this study, methods of eliminating (or retrofitting) existing expansion joints from highway bridge decks are investigated. To this end, the commonly used types of bridge deck expansion joints are described. In addition, a smmary of the typical problems that are characteristic of eac joint type is given, and the in-service performance of each joint type is discussed. In recent years, several state highway agencies have experienced success with making bridges jointless in new construction projects. The concepts that form the basis for the design of jointless bridges are summarized. The extension of these basic concepts for use in bridge rehabilitation projects is described. Several case studies of retrofit procedures that illustrate these methods applied to multiple span highway bridges are presented. Based on a review of selected details used in practice to eliminate expansion joints, several construction details are analyzed with finite element computer software. A description of the computer modeling and results of the analyses are given. In some instances, it may not be feasible to eliminate expansion joints from the structure. For these situations, methods of converting the existing expansion joint system to an alternate system are presented and discussed.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Maryland, College Park

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  College Park, MD  United States  20742

  Maryland Department of Transportation

  State Highway Administration, 707 N Calvert Street
  Baltimore, MD  United States  21202

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Wolde-Tinsae, A M
  • Klinger, J E
  • Mullangi, R
• Publication Date: 1988-12

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 284 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Bridge design; Bridges; Case studies; Driver rehabilitation; Expansion joints; Finite element method; Highway bridges; Performance evaluations; Retrofitting; Software; Structural design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rehabilitation
• Old TRIS Terms: Jointless structures
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00496648
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/MD-89/12
• Contract Numbers: AW089-327-046
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 31 1991 12:00AM