Bridges link different areas, enabling vehicle movement across regions. This infrastructure helps people to reach their workplaces, schools, hospitals, and other locations. Some of the bridges, like the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia and the Tower Bridge in London, truly show how this infrastructure can become a source of pride for a particular place.
The bridge structure, however, needs proper support to stay in ideal condition. One such component that helps in maintaining the structural integrity of a bridge is expansion joints. These joints are essential to keep the bridge deck away from any damage.
If you are curious to know more about expansion joints, then you are in the right place. Here, we will explore the role of this component in maintaining bridge infrastructure.
Why Is There A Need For Bridge Expansion Joints?
The bridge structure is made of concrete and requires expansion joints. This is because the concrete of the bridge deck expands and contracts due to many reasons. The temperature changes, thawing of ice and heavy load of vehicles can make the surface of concrete expand and contract. As we know concrete is a rigid material, so on contracting and expanding, it will probably crack. So this is where bridge expansion joints play their role.
These joints help the movement of concrete without causing any cracks. These components absorb the stress from contraction and expansion, which helps maintain the bridge structure. Let us see some of the advantages of expansion joints:
Benefits Of Bridge Expansion Joints
- Safety: The expansion joints help in ensuring public safety. With the installation of these joints, the bridges will not develop cracks easily. Minimum cracks mean that vehicles can move smoothly, so the chances of accidents are less. Also, the pedestrians will have an even surface to walk on so they won’t trip and fall.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The bridges not only provide a connection between different regions but also are the main highlight of any city. So, keeping the bridge in pristine condition is essential. This means the deck surface should be free from any cracks. Installing bridge expansion joints is crucial to ensure that the concrete surface remains free from potential crack formation.
- Less Need for Maintenance: Maintaining a large infrastructure like a bridge can cost you a lot of money when the damage is huge. The minor cracks can become bigger, which can cause the concrete to break into pieces further. This will compel one even to replace the whole structure. To prevent hefty repair costs, installing expansion joints is a necessity. These components prevent bridge deck damage, thus reducing the need for frequent maintenance.
We have learned how expansion joints are a vital part of a bridge infrastructure. The expansion joints provide support to the bridge, but they also need proper maintenance to keep their functionality optimum. Let us see how one can maintain the expansion joints in ideal condition.
Maintenance Of Bridge Expansion Joints
- Assessing Deterioration: Extreme temperatures, heavy vehicle load, and chemical spills from the vehicle can cause wear and tear in the expansion joints. By inspecting the components of the joints regularly, any signs of deterioration can be detected early, and you can plan on taking appropriate measures accordingly.
- Look out for Misalignment: The misalignment of expansion joints can occur due to earthquakes or heavy traffic loads. When the joints are not in alignment, they can’t evenly distribute the thermal stress. So, it is crucial that you make the necessary repairs to align the joints properly.
- Check Sealant Condition: A sealant helps expand the joint’s resistance towards rain, salt, haze, ultraviolet rays and corrosion due to climatic conditions. You will have to replace the existing sealant when it faces damage due to unfavourable weather conditions.
- Keep the Debris at Bay: The debris, such as leaves, small rocks and dust, can hinder the working of the bridge expansion joint. So, it is necessary to clean the joints regularly so that the debris does not accumulate over the components.
Conclusion
The expansion joints help protect the bridge deck from damage due to contraction and expansion. The support of these components helps in prolonging the life of the bridge. With well-maintained joints, the chance of structural failure decreases significantly. If you are someone looking for expansion joint repair services then consider Line Marking Plus. They offer the best bridge and expansion joint repair services in Australia. So contact them for more information.