BACKGROUND
Bridge deck joints are highly specialized components and typically require maintenance, rehabilitation or replacement over a bridge’s service life. Their performance and durability can have a significant impact on other important bridge components including girders, bearings, piers and abutments, as well as on road user costs.
Despite considerable interest among Canadian jurisdictions in bridge deck joint design, selection, fabrication, installation and field performance, actual jurisdictional standards vary. The number of deck joint fabricators and suppliers is also limited. The combination of a small, specialized supply industry and significant variation in standards and installation practices has led to high project costs, reduced production efficiency, project schedule impacts, and disputes between clients and contractors.
OBJECTIVES
The major objectives of this project would include:
- Review national and international standards, design and performance literature and survey Canadian jurisdictions to identify existing practices for bridge deck joint design, fabrication, construction, operation and maintenance.
- Identify notable practices and the lessons learned from their use.
- Document findings in a report that will provide a foundation for future work to develop improved bridge deck joint details, practices and performance.
