Full Description

These guidelines provide bridge maintenance practitioners with detailed procedures for replacing, repairing, and maintaining Small Movement Expansion Joints (SMEJs). "Small movement"is defined as an expansion joint with a total movement of 4 inchesor less. SMEJs serve an important function in the life-cycle of a bridge. They provide a smooth transition from one span to another in a multi-span bridge or from the approach roadway to the deck, and they direct water and other chemicals off of the deck and away from the bridge. While the cost of a joint may be small relative to the total cost of the bridge, the consequences of a joint failure can be significant and, as such, there has been a growing awareness of the need to develop detailed procedures for maintaining, repairing, and replacing SMEJs.