Research requirements for bridge deck expansion joints

Abstract Any typ e of join t i s a potential sourc e of weakness. Modern concret e an d stee l bridges have joint s t o accommodate th e movements o f the bridge deck relative t o the adjacent pavement. Many o f these joint s leak , allowing water an d chloride s t o penetrate dec k ends , abutments, piers an d crosshead s an d caus e corrosion o f the reinforcing steel . The performance o f current joint s is very variable. Som e are satisfactory, bu t many hav e service live s of only a few years an d ar e expensive t o maintain.