How can you Secure the Bridge with Bridge Deck Expansion Joints?

Bridge deck expansion joints give major support to the bridge. These joints are essential as they help in maintaining the infrastructure. They help to promote smooth mobility on the road while providing space to expand when the climate changes. 

 

It is important to note that the joints should be installed properly, or else it can cause issues such as dirt or any foreign particle entering the joints, thus not giving enough room for the road to expand and making it crack. 

Let us see more reasons why it is essential to install expansion joints and how to install them properly: 

Importance of installing expansion joints

Bridge expansion joints provide the following benefits: 

• They aid in allowing continuous traffic irrespective of any deformations caused by shrinkage, moisture or temperature changes.
  
  

• The joints  protect the sides of the road from damage caused by vehicles.
  
  

• The expansion joints prevent dirt or debris from entering the gap.
  
  

How to install expansion bridge gaps? 

It is important to carefully plan the installation process of expansion joints because it can be changed occasionally. There are some points to be considered before starting the installation process. It should be noted before installing how much the road contracts and expands. An analysis of geographical areas must be done, covering the topic of climate variations. 

Let us now begin with the steps that will help in carrying out the installation process smoothly: 

• Gathering the material 
  
  

The first step is to prepare all the tools and other materials required for the procedure. This includes seals, roofing paper, joints, adhesives, insulation board, waterproofing membrane, cover plates and sealants. Make sure to store all the material under ideal conditions.

• Checking the concrete

Concrete: The installation process should be started immediately. The concrete should be let out to dry for 20-25 days. The surface should be clean without any uneven surfaces. The concrete should be mechanically abraded by sandblasting.

Elastomeric concrete: The vertical face should be sandblasted to remove any glossy within 8 hours. The surface must be clean before the application of adhesive.

Steel surface: The surface must be clean and devoid of any rust. 

• Preparation of surface
  
  

The concrete surface must be cleaned and free of any kind of foreign objects which are not required at the time of installation. The surface should be free of any dirt or debris. Dirt removal can be done using an oil/water-free compressor.

• Patch the surface 
  
  

Sandblasting is the ultimate way of ensuring that the concrete is free from any grease, old coatings or curing compounds. The grinding machine is to be used to remove any bumps and make the surface smooth. The steel surfaces should be sanded to a near-white colour finish. Use an alcohol-based cleaner to remove the remaining dust or debris. 

• Preparation for a joint opening
  
  

Before installation, take all the necessary measurements required. The materials should be in extra quantity from the recommendation. The foam seal material placed next to the joint should be oversized so that the foam seal can be installed with compression. The installation of joints can be carried out after following these steps. 

Expansion joints carry utmost importance in ensuring the infrastructure remains in good condition. It can be said that the expansion joints serve a safety purpose. In addition to the joints, it is important to have road line marking on the bridge. 

The markings are as important on bridges as they are on roads. Let us understand why it is important to have line markings on the road: 

 

Importance of road line markings

• The markings help to regulate traffic as they provide instructions to drivers on the road that they can follow.
  
  

• The markings with bright colours can help improve visibility at night and in bad weather conditions.
  
  

• Certain markings indicate upcoming turns in advance, which helps avoid accidents.
  
  

Conclusion:

Installing joint expansions should be carefully done, as the slightest mistakes can lead to bad consequences. This process might be challenging to be executed by someone who is not familiar with and trained enough. It is better to leave the work of installing expansion joints in the hands of experts. Contact Linemarking, the best brand with the best bridge deck expansion joint in Australia.

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