Expansion Joints, Application : Bridge Use

Bridge expansion joints are structural components designed to provide smooth passage over the gap between adjacent sides of a deck joint, while also permitting relative translation andor rotation of the two sides of a bridge deck (deck movement joint).
A deck movement joint is generally defined as a structural discontinuity between two elements, at least one of which is a deck element, and is designed to allow relative translations and rotations due to: thermal expansion and contraction of the superstructure, concrete shrinkage or creep, elastic shortening due to pre-stressing, displacement of the structure under load, or any other action the desk is subjected to.