Next-Generation Modular Expansion Joints for Bridges – “Smart” And Easily Replaceable in Order to Minimise Life-Cycle Costs

This paper about bridge expansion joints of the modular type includes an introduction to the development of this type of expansion joint since its invention almost six decades ago. It also provides an insight into the current state-of-the-art technology in this field, including such innovations as the option of pre-equipping the joints with sensors for easy integration in a bridge’s automated monitoring system – thereby making the joints “smart” – and the option of designing the joints to be easily replaceable when the need arises – thereby minimising the associated costs and disruption to traffic. Considering the huge contribution of maintenance and replacement works to the life-cycle costs of a bridge’s expansion joints, the use of such options – combined with the design optimisations resulting from these decades of ongoing development work – enables the long- term costs associated with a bridge’s expansion joints to be greatly reduced.

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