BRIDGE DECK JOINTS

This synthesis will be of interest to bridge designers, maintenance engineers, and others concerned with designing and maintaining bridge deck joints. Information is presented on the types of deck joints used in bridges and on the design of bridges without joints. Bridges are continually moving and thus need either some type of deck joint or an integral design to accommodate this movement. This report of the Transportation Research Board describes the types of deck joints being used, the problems with these joints, and how integral construction--bridge decks without joints--can be used to avoid joints.