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2. Design
Are traffic loads and movements from standards and measurements used for design
calculations and verification tests? When tests are carried out, which boundary conditions are
used and do they include the most adverse design situations? What design life is aimed at?
Are the structures tested and evaluated with respect to the brittleness and the risk of crack
propagation
All design aspects are translated into standard specifications for single seal expansion joints.
Most important aspects are movement capacity, water tightness and minimal traffic
obstruction. Water tightness should be guaranteed to prevent damage to substructure and
bearings. The contractor does design of the anchoring in the concrete of the bridge.
Demanding a long lifetime for the joint structure and easy replaceable joint seals ensures
minimal traffic hindrance.
The temperature range differs between NL and B:
Temperature range [ºC] Netherlands Belgium
Concrete bridges -15 +35 -10 +30
Steel bridges -25 +45 -20 +40
Maximum movement capacity for single seal joints is 80 mm for standard types. Special type
with capacity of 100 mm is available.
Steel parts must have quality J2. This requirement is imposed strictly in Flanders.
Design computations are not made for single seal joints. The Flanders ministry is very reluctant
in allowing new types of joints. Decision on approval is taken by ‘afdeling metaalstructuren’.
Contractors are aware of this policy and propose joint types with proven quality in most
projects.
Is there a tendency to avoid joints in bridge structures?
Reduction of the number of joints is standard aim in bridge design in Belgium (‘the best joint is
no joint’). The place of the joints is selected carefully too, since this determines the
requirements for the design of the joints.
3. Manufacturing and installation
How is dealt with the manufacturing an installation procedures and quality control aspects?
Do internal or external institutions carry out manufacturing and installation inspections?
Installation is crucial for the lifetime of the joints. Two different situations can be distinguished
(standard type of joint; steel nosing anchored in concrete):
• Installation before pavement construction:
Asphalt is extended up to steel nosing. Remaining small joint is sealed with elastic material
• Installation after pavement construction:
Asphalt is cut out at joint position. Gap remaining after joint installation, is filled with medium
strength concrete (C35/45)
Both methods give equally good results, when performed with care.
Quality control is performed according to standard procedures for; materials, computations and
surveillance at construction site. To ensure an effective control, all aspects should be in one hand.
Checks divided in several parts, each done by different actors are not effective in practice.
68 Rapportage inventarisatie enkelvoudige voegen