EXPANSION JOINTS

The usage of EXPANSION JOINTS discuss and explains in this post. This is the main member in the construction of a bridge. A bridge constructs with many major components like, the pile foundations, pile caps, columns, beams, decks, etc,. The top slab of bridge known as decks. These decks constructs at specific lengths with small gaps at specific intervals between them. These gaps provides for these concrete slab decks to expand and contract. This implements to avoid crack formations and spreading of cracks to other deck slabs. This causes by the temperature change, drying shrinkage, live load etc. These gaps seals with elastic sealants. These sealants are elastic members provides ways for concrete to is expansion and contractions in changing environments.

This expansion joint damages among bridge members causes by the increase of traffic load, improper installation, and careless repairs,etc. It causes a bad ride, accidents leads to traffic. And the frequent repair causes the heavy traffics. This increases the maintenance  cost of  bridges.

EXPANSION JOINS 

The gaps seals with the watertight elastomeric profiles. It allows enough vertical movement to permit bearing replacement, without the need to dismantle the bridge expansion joint.

The method of using copper plates employs. And this method is cost-effective. This provide long-life, compare to other systems.

Its done by replacing an elastic system with the pre-fabricated copper plates. These designs as per requirements for bridge decks.  And  inserts into expansion joints. And provides a free way to concrete for its expansion and the contraction.

The Advantages 

Some of the major advantages explains as follows,

• This system stands a change of temperature, contraction, and cliff of concrete.
• Provides smooth movement in deck slab roads.
• Not necessary to remove the entire expansion joint.
• This reduces the time for repairing works.
• Reduces the maintenance.
• Highly economical.
• This system will easily apply on existing bridges according to their types.