The Range of Movement Designed for the Suitable Expansion Joint of the Expressways’ Superstructure

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Abstract

The expansion joints are commonly found between sections of the concrete superstructure of the expressway network to transfer and balance the internal bonding forces of the entire separated superstructure. This can prevent the damage from the collision movement between the structures. At present, there are many types of the expansion joint. When designing and selecting the expansion joint, the range of movement is a significant issue to consider. Therefore, results of shrinkage, creep, and thermal effect experienced in the concrete structure behaviour should be taken into account ensuring the structure allows movement and defined the expansion joint that can be supported to the movement range of the superstructure efficiently. This is to maximise the lifetime of the superstructure and to allow the efficient maintenance plan and budget. This paper provides the solution to deigned the range of movement of the steel finger joint installed on the Kanchanapisek Expressway to consider the suitable type of the expansion joint.

Keywords: Movement Range, Expansion Joint, Shrinkage, Creep, Thermal Effect