Bridge Expansion Joints

Expansion Joints

Bridge expansion joints are critical components of bridge design and construction, allowing the structure to accommodate movements caused by factors such as temperature fluctuations, traffic loads, seismic activity, and settlement. These joints are essential for preventing the buildup of stress within the bridge structure, which could lead to cracks, distortions, or even failure if left unchecked.

Here's how bridge expansion joints typically function:

Allowing Movement: Bridges are subjected to various forces that cause them to expand, contract, or deform over time. Expansion joints are installed at strategic locations within the bridge deck or between adjacent sections of the bridge to accommodate these movements.

Types of Movement: Bridge expansion joints can accommodate different types of movement, including longitudinal movement (along the length of the bridge), transverse movement (across the width of the bridge), vertical movement (up and down), and rotational movement (twisting or torsion).

Components: Bridge expansion joints consist of several components, including structural supports, sealing elements, and transition materials. Common materials used in expansion joints include rubber, neoprene, steel, and various polymer-based materials.

Sealing: Expansion joints are designed to prevent the ingress of water, debris, and other foreign materials into the bridge structure. Sealing elements, such as rubber seals or gaskets, are used to create a watertight barrier between adjacent sections of the bridge.

Hercules Strip Seal Joint System

Hercules Strip Seal Joints are robust, watertight joints, capable of horizontal and vertical movements and conforming to MORTH specifications are installed in hundreds of Bridges all across India and Asia-Pacific. Strip seal joints offers ease of installation and effectively seals the joints in Bridges and structures.

Hercules Compression Seal Joint System

Hercules Compression Seal Joints are preformed elastomeric Joint seals, resistant to external environment. The seal has an internal elastomeric cross-sectional web configuration, which allows the seal to exert a continuous and uniform force against the joint walls. The seal width is always greater than the maximum Joint opening, so that it remains constantly under a state of compression, whether the Joint gap increases or decreases. These Joints are supplied and installed in full conformity with MORT&H specifications and guidelines.

Hercules Finger Joint System

The concept of finger joint system is inspired by the fingers of our hands cross linked together like a cot to provide greater strength and flexibility to expand and contract depending upon the surrounding temperature. It provides a solid gluing surface. Unlike other joints, the gaps are not visible as the fingers act as a covering system itself. Hence, the road surface is smooth and aesthetically pleasing.

Modular Joints

Hercules supplies and installs Modular Joints manufactured by Sunyang Industrial Corporation, Taiwan. These joints accommodates and seals large joint movements on Bridge structures and are designed to provide watertight, fatigue resistant, long term, maintenance free performance.

The expansion joint assembly consists of a modular, multiple seal joint system that will allow movements, as per design movements. The system consists of preformed neoprene strip seals secured by steel edge beam and separation beams. Each separation beam is supported by a support bar attached to separation beam. The support bars are suspended over the joint opening using sliding elastomeric bearings.

An equidistant control system maintains uniform joint closing or opening during Expansion or contraction.