TENSA®FINGER GF – Sliding Finger joints

Design Principle

The TENSA®FINGER GF sliding finger joint is a robust finger roadway joint for high performance requirements imposed by traffic loads, movements, driving comfort and durability. Pre-stressed and finger-like supported joint plates allow vertical movements and twists of bridge components.

Construction Characteristics

• Construction with low noise and high riding comfort.
• Massive steel construction with a determinate system.
• Anchorage and steel angles as watertight connection tested and proven over decades .
• Thanks to modular construction, easy replacement of finger plates.
• Easily adaptable to different pavement thicknesses.
• Good grip of surfaces for higher traffic safety.
• Construction rated for movements up to 1000 mm and more.
• Rotation (fy) and vertical movement (ez) possible thanks to jointlike support.

Materials and corrosion protection

The following materials are used for the production of sliding finger joints:

• Construction of S 235 JRG 2 with 3.1 B certificates
• Bearings and sliding plates made of Nylatron
• Helical springs, bolts and nuts of special high grade chrome steel

Corrosion protection:

• Standard: sandblasting SA 3, hot-galvanizing 50 µm and 2 conversion coatings of 40 µm each
• Corrosion protection possible according to customer needs

Quality

A large number of sliding finger joints have been used successfully for many years under tough traffic conditions. Basis for quality and durability are:

• Qualified and experienced personnel
• Process-oriented quality system (ISO 9001:2000 / EN 29001)
• Professional installation on the bridge

Tests and approvals

• Three complete test samples of the system GF 600 were tested at the largest finger span position and top loads of up to 160 kN with load alternation of 2 x 106 and a test frequency of 3,2 Hz with no damages.
• A sliding test of over 5000 m under tough test conditions proves the superior qualities of sliding partners.
• mageba sliding finger joint have successfully passed all tests in accordance with the Austrian directive RVS 15.45 and have been approved for installation in state highways and national roads.